Rummy is the card game of family tables, senior clubs and gaming clubs. Players spend hours at it, shuffle dozens of times per game and hold 13 or 14 cards in hand at all times. Needless to say, the quality of the deck shows straight away: cards that stick, bend at the corners or go limp spoil the evening. Here is how to choose a good rummy deck, how many to allow for and when to switch to buying by the carton.
A rummy deck: 52 cards and 2 jokers
Why a dedicated rummy deck?
Technically, rummy can be played with any standard deck. But a deck designed for rummy meets three requirements specific to the game:
- A full hand: with 13 cards in hand (14 for the dealer), you need a narrow format that fans out effortlessly.
- Essential jokers: rummy uses jokers as wild cards. A rummy deck therefore has 54 cards: 52 cards plus 2 jokers.
- Heavy use: drawing, discarding, shuffling at every deal. The card stock has to stay supple and slick after dozens of games.
How many decks do you need to play rummy?
In its most widespread French version, rummy is played with two 54-card decks, i.e. 108 cards, for 2 to 6 players. That is why rummy decks come with two different back colours, red and blue: the two decks are shuffled together for play, then easily separated at the end of the game to put them away or check that no card is missing.
Red back and blue back: the two decks of a rummy game
The golden rule: always buy your rummy decks in pairs, one red and one blue. For one table, allow 2 decks.
| Use | Number of tables | Decks required | Recommended pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family game | 1 | 2 (1 red + 1 blue) | Single decks |
| Club, association, care home | 5 to 12 | 10 to 24 | 1 carton of 24 decks |
| Gaming club, tournament, community association | 12 and more | 24 and more, with regular replacement | Several cartons or a lot of 10 cartons |
What makes a good rummy deck
Bridge size
Bridge-size cards are about 5.7 cm wide, compared with 6.3 cm for poker size. Those few millimetres make all the difference when you are holding 13 or 14 cards in a fan: the hand stays compact, the cards do not stick out and the grip is more natural, especially for players with less strength in their hands. It is the standard format for rummy, belote and bridge.
Bridge size fans out easily in the hand
Plastic-coated card stock
A quality rummy deck is made of plastic-coated card stock. The finishing layer protects the card from moisture from the hands, limits fingerprints and ensures a smooth glide when shuffling. Extra-fine decks go one step further with a smoothing process that gives every card a uniform texture: they spread, shuffle and gather without catching.
Extra-fine finish: a uniform glide, card after card
Indices and court cards
In rummy you read your cards in a fan, so by the corners. A 4-index deck (value and suit in all four corners) can be read whichever way it is held, whether you are left- or right-handed. French-pattern court cards (King, Queen and Jack with traditional faces) remain the most comfortable for players used to standard French decks.
4 indices: the card can be read from any angle
The brand
Ducale is one of the historic names in French playing cards, found for decades in cafés, gaming clubs and family homes. Its SPECIAL CERCLE range is designed for club use: superior-quality card stock, professional inks and an extra-fine finish.
Our selection of Ducale rummy decks
Ducale SPECIAL CERCLE extra-fine rummy deck, red and blue
The go-to deck for playing at home or equipping a table. Each deck has 54 cards (52 cards + 2 jokers), plastic-coated card stock, bridge size, 4 indices, French-pattern court cards, white faces, supplied in a cellophane-wrapped box. Available with a red back and a blue back to make up the pair needed for a game of rummy. Unit price: €3.19.
Ducale SPECIAL CERCLE rummy deck, red back
Ducale SPECIAL CERCLE rummy deck, blue back
Ducale SPECIAL CERCLE rummy deck, red · Ducale SPECIAL CERCLE rummy deck, blue
Carton of 24 SPECIAL CERCLE rummy decks
The solution for clubs and associations: 24 SPECIAL CERCLE extra-fine rummy decks in a single order, enough to equip 12 tables or replace worn decks throughout the season. At €69.90, each deck works out at about €2.91, a saving of nearly 10% compared with buying single decks.
Carton of 24 rummy decks, red and blue
See the carton of 24 rummy decks
Lot of 10 cartons, i.e. 240 rummy decks
For gaming clubs, federations, tournament organisers and retailers. 10 cartons of 24 decks, i.e. 240 SPECIAL CERCLE extra-fine rummy decks, for €629. Each deck works out at under €2.62, a saving of around 17% on the unit price. It is the best per-deck price in the range, and enough stock to cover a full tournament season.
Lot of 10 cartons, i.e. 240 rummy decks
See the lot of 10 cartons of rummy decks
| Pack size | Number of decks | Price | Price per deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single deck (red or blue) | 1 | €3.19 | €3.19 |
| Carton | 24 | €69.90 | approx. €2.91 |
| Lot of 10 cartons | 240 | €629.00 | approx. €2.62 |
When should you replace your rummy decks?
A plastic-coated deck does not last forever, especially in a club. Replace your decks as soon as:
- The cards catch when shuffling or no longer fan out properly.
- A corner is bent or a card is marked: in rummy, a card that can be recognised from the back skews the draw.
- A card is missing: count your 54 cards per deck at the end of the season; jokers are the first to go missing.
In a club, planning a full replacement of the decks once or twice a season is a sound rule of thumb. That is where the carton pays off.
Looking after your rummy decks
- Play with clean, dry hands: this is the main cause of wear on card stock.
- Play on a mat rather than on a bare table: the cards glide better and suffer less damage. A neoprene jersey mat does the job perfectly.
- Store each deck in its box, away from moisture and heat.
- Separate the reds from the blues after each game to spot an incomplete deck straight away.
Complete your gaming table
To play in the best conditions, discover our playing mats, also available in a version personalised with your club logo, and our folding-leg gaming tables. To choose your table, see our gaming tables guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in a rummy deck?
A rummy deck has 54 cards: 52 standard cards and 2 jokers. French rummy is played with two decks, i.e. 108 cards.
Why are rummy decks sold in red and blue?
Rummy is played with two decks shuffled together. Different back colours make it easy to separate the two decks after the game, to put them away and check that no card is missing.
What is the difference between bridge size and poker size?
Bridge size is narrower (about 5.7 cm wide compared with 6.3 cm for poker size). It is easier to hold in a fan, which makes it the standard format for rummy, where you keep 13 or 14 cards in hand.
How many rummy decks should a club allow for?
Allow two decks per table, plus a reserve to replace worn or incomplete decks. A carton of 24 decks equips 12 tables. Beyond that, the lot of 10 cartons offers the best price per deck.