Card games have always remained a favourite pass time of Indians for ages. Not just playing cards a pass time, playing them on occasions such as Diwali nights is considered auspicious by many. Thus, even now, it is a tradition to play card games in many houses on Diwali nights or even during many other special occasions such as Dussehra. Among various card games played today, one of the most popular is Indian Rummy card game.
When we talk about the origin of rummy, there are several stories as some legends say that it all started in Mexico way back in the 1890s while others state that China introduced rummy to the world in 1891. Thus, there are different variants of this popular game, including Indian Rummy.
Popularity of Rummy
Rummy did not get famous in a single day. There have been several reasons that depict how the game got popular. Some of the potential reasons for the sudden popularity of Rummy are here.
- It is said that the introduction of Rummy was for the purpose of entertainment during an era when there were no other options for entertainment such as today.
- During the 1930s, many Hollywood celebrities and stars showed their interest in the game and this made a new trend among the fans too of playing Rummy.
- The Great Depression is also considered one of the reasons because it was the time when people had to be indoors and played Rummy as a pass time, which slowly became a mode to earn money for many.
Thus, there are mixed situations and causes that have led to an increase in the demand for Rummy over time.
History of Indian Rummy
There is no clear description yet of how rummy actually came into existence in India but there are some believers who offer credit to the Mughals. According to these believers, the Mughals often used to play a game by the name Ganifa. This is a card game in which the players made use of a bunch of cards that are adorned with precious gemstones and materials. The introduction of this game in India by the Mughals has been traced to the 16th century when the Mughals used to play such lavish games to pass time.
So, it can be definitely said that Indian Rummy card game has been there always in our culture for more than a century. It is only that recently the game has got recognition and popularity because of the online platforms offering players to play the game in a much more convenient way.
There are many other hypotheses also regarding the start of the Indian rummy game. It is also believed that the game was inspired by 500 Rummy and Gin Rummy which are played exclusively in the United States. This can be one of the prime reasons why the method of playing Indian Rummy, 500 Rummy, and Gin Rummy are almost similar. In all these games, the aim is to create legitimate sets and sequences earlier than any other players to win.
Rise of Rummy in India
Indian Rummy has to struggle a lot to make its place concrete in Indian society. One of the most common reasons for it is the misunderstanding that people held against the game. Most people even today think that Indian Rummy is similar to any other card game in which the player needs to bet and the winning depends upon the luck of the player. This was the reason why even because of the presence of the game since the 16th century, the playing of the game was subtle in the country.
A huge transition came up when ultimately in the year 1968, the Supreme Court in India passed a verdict that Indian Rummy is a game of skills. With this verdict, the game got legalized and many people started gaining confidence in the game.
But still, the actual boom in the popularity of the game was noticed only after the availability of the game on online platforms. The online rummy platforms came up with features such as free play, learning sessions, bonuses, and many others that boosted the confidence of many individuals who had an interest in the game but were scared of investing money in it.
Indian Rummy – A Skill Game
Today, a lot of wrong conceptions have been washed away because of the increased popularity of the Indian Rummy game. It is understood today by many individuals that you need to learn the game properly and then need to make use of your logic and skills to win the game. In fact, even if you do not win, you will not lose much if you are making use of the right skills. If you are not confident yet, you can play Indian rummy for free online on renowned platforms, such as First Games app by Paytm.
The popularity of Indian Rummy is now not just restricted to India but also has crossed boundaries. The fam following Indian Rummy is now in different countries across the world. It is also believed and mentioned by many experts that playing Indian Rummy or any other Rummy variants can actually help in improving your cognitive skills. So, the more you practice, the better you can become at many skills such as time management, observation, and most importantly faster decision-making.
Conclusion
Though the origin, as well as the evolution of the Indian Rummy, is not transparent yet, there is no doubt that today it has become one of the most played rummy variants across the world. The best part of this game is that it is easy to understand and easy to play even for beginners. Today, with the help of the online rummy platform, the game has become popular not just among youngsters but also among adults as well as older people.
Today, you can play Indian rummy online with not just your known people but competitors from different locations on the First Games app by Paytm. Whether you wish to play the game out of fun or you wish to play it professionally, the game never fails you if you are on the right track.
