For the last time it's not Rumby Cubs ... It's rummikub (Rummikub)

Member Name: mjw92

Product:	Rummikub
Date:	10/09/08 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great gameplay, lots of twists and turns

Disadvantages: None

Rummikub is, in our family's opinion, a game of gin rummy, revamped, a lot more devious and played with tiles rather than cards.

~~ Rummikub ~~

The simple overall objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your tiles. You play tiles by laying them down in either "runs" or "sets" or by manipulating the entire board to get the right set-up.

~~ What's in the box? ~~

In the box you should find four tile racks, instructions list and:

106 tiles comprising of:
2 lots of numbers 1 - 13 in Black, Blue, Red and Green
2 joker faces

With this game it really is that simple, so there is no complicated assembly or anything else majorly time consuming.

~~ Regulations (the word "rules" just sounds strict) ~~

Each player chooses 13 of the face-down tiles to put onto their rack. Players choose by whatever method they want who starts the game.

The starting player has to make either a "run" or a "set" or a combination of both, which totals above 30 in order to enter the game.
~ A run is an adjacent numerical sequence all of the same colour, e.g. blue 5, blue 6, blue 7. A run must contain at least 3 tiles.
~ A set is a group of tiles with the same number, e.g. black 12, red 12, yellow 12. A set must contain at least 3 tiles and only one of each colour.

The numbers in the starting play must total at least 30. If the player can't make an opening move of 30, he/she picks up a tile from the pool and play continues to the next player.

When you have made an opening play of at least 30, there is no minimum number after this. You have the right to add more sets, add more runs, add to an existing set or run, or my personal favourite: manipulate existing sets and runs in order to add your own tiles. If you can not complete any of these actions you must pick up a tile, and if you try a manipulation, all sets and runs must meet requirements and should it fail everything must be placed back to where it started from.

~~ More on manipulation ~~

Manipulation is where you chnage things already on the board. For example, if a joker is being used to make a run: blue 11, joker, blue 13, and you have the blue 12 tile, you can swap the joker for the blue 12; though you must use the joker immediately, so if you had a black 8 and yellow 8 in your hand, you could make the joker a red 8 and all sets are complete and you have managed to discard 3 tiles.

This element of the game is what makes it differ from gin rummy, and is what can annoy players so much, but makes the game twist, turn and is so much fun to play. Of course, if you go for a really long manipulation planned out in your head, make sure it is planned, or else you have to pick up 2 tiles. (Trust me, something always goes wrong, and if you get it right it is a major bragging point.)

~~ Scoring possibilities ~~

For players who enjoy longer games, rather than just first out wins, use a scoring system. The winner accummulates the values shown on the tiles of the losers, with jokers counting as 50, and play to a maximum amount.

~~ My opinion ~~

I absolutely love this game. I would even go as far as saying it is one of my favourite board type games. The sheer element of manipulation means that no two games are ever the same, and there is always some unpredictability about it, even when someone looks certain to win.

Sheer simplicity means that anyone can play, however for children to fully grasp it and make an active contribution to the game I would recommend a minimum age of a smart 8 year old, or average 10 year old, as then they will get full enjoyment from it.

I would definitely recommend this game, as although it sometimes draws on you do get such enjoyment from it on those lay Sunda afternoons after your roast.

~~ Price and Availability ~~

Rummikub can be picked up just about anywhere, ranging from charity shops, to Toys R Us and I've even seen it in Woolworths once or twice, though not on a constant basis. Price-wise it is between £10 and £15, though I believe for the amount of enjoyment you will receive from this it is very reasonable.

~~ Summary ~~

If you like cards, logical thinking and even games such as uno, you will more than likely enjoy this. 5*

~~ Epilogue ~~

If you were wondering about my title, it's because my Grandma always wants to play this game, though she always seems to pronounce it Rumby Cubs! lol

Summary: It's gin rummy with a darker side