Shanghai Rummy Rules: Complete Guide to the 7 Rounds
Welcome to the complete overview of shanghai rummy rules and contract structures. Played with multiple decks, Shanghai Rummy consists of exactly 7 contract rounds where players must meld a specific combination of sets and sequences before going out.
1. The 7 Shanghai Rummy Rounds
In each round of shanghai rummy, the card combinations required to lay down your hand (the "contract") change. Below is the list of requirements for all 7 rounds:
| Deal Round | Contract Requirement | Cards Dealt |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 2 Sets of 3 cards (same rank, different suits) | 11 Cards |
| Round 2 | 1 Set of 3 cards + 1 Sequence of 4 cards | 11 Cards |
| Round 3 | 2 Sequences of 4 cards | 11 Cards |
| Round 4 | 3 Sets of 3 cards | 11 Cards |
| Round 5 | 2 Sets of 3 cards + 1 Sequence of 4 cards | 11 Cards |
| Round 6 | 1 Set of 3 cards + 2 Sequences of 4 cards | 11 Cards |
| Round 7 | 3 Sequences of 4 cards (Must play entire hand, no discard) | 11 Cards |
2. "Buying" Cards out of Turn
One of the most unique shanghai rummy rules is the ability to "buy" a card. If it is not your turn, and the active player does not want the card discarded on the open pile, you can call "I buy that!".
- The cost of buying: You receive the discarded card PLUS you must draw one extra card from the closed stock pile as a penalty.
- Buy limits: Depending on table rules, players are capped to 3 or 4 buys per round.
3. Scoring & End of Rounds
Like Indian Rummy, cards left unarranged in your hand carry penalty points. High cards carry flat penalties:
- Aces & Jokers: 15 Points penalty.
- Face Cards (K, Q, J) & 10s: 10 Points penalty.
- Number Cards (2 to 9): 5 Points penalty.
The player with the lowest total penalty score across all 7 rounds wins the game.
Supports Custom Match Ledgers
Track round scores, compute player drops, and run payout ledgers automatically using our free online scorekeeper.
👉 Open Rummy Score Board