The drop option in rummy may feel like you have lost the game or are giving up, but using the drop option can be a wise decision to minimize the loss you may face in a rummy game.

When you play online rummy games, there may be situations where you might feel stuck and unable to make a move. Melding the cards in hand into the required sequences and sets may seem impossible at times. Such situations make you lose all confidence irrespective of the skills you have acquired in the previous games.  The drop option in rummy is your ticket to tackle such circumstances smartly. If you had to choose between losing the game entirely or reducing your loss, you would undoubtedly choose the latter. This is where the drop option comes into play. It is wiser to drop out of the game if you are likely to lose. You get a penalty depending on whether it is the first or middle drop in a rummy game, but it is better than losing the game with higher points. Also, it is important to know when to drop in rummy.

You can use two types of drops while playing rummy:

First Drop

• If you leave the game without making any move, it is considered the first drop. The penalty you get for the first drop in rummy is 20 points.

Middle Drop

• If you leave the game after making at least one move, it is considered the middle drop. You face a penalty of 40 points for a middle drop in rummy.

Despite the penalty points, it is still wiser to get out of the game sometimes, using the drop option. But how would you know when to drop out? It’s quite simple. Here are some scenarios where you should consider dropping out to minimize the loss.

Dealt a weak hand

• 1. Whether you play rummy online or offline, it is quite possible to be dealt a weak or rather a bad hand. Melding cards into sets and sequences is a massive challenge with a bad hand. You may even struggle to make a pure sequence at times, and there’s no point in even trying to make an impure sequence or set if you don’t have a pure sequence.
• 2. In scenarios where you are dealt a weak hand, you must analyze if you can at least form a pure sequence in one or two moves. Otherwise, you can drop out of the game instead of losing with higher points. Depending on how bad the hand is, you must decide whether to go for the first or middle drop in rummy.

No joker in hand

• 1. At times, you may have successfully formed a pure sequence but struggle to create other sets and sequences due to the absence of printed or wild jokers. A printed joker and a wild joker card carry zero points, and it’s always beneficial to have the joker card in hand as you can use them to form an impure sequence or set.
• 2. In a scenario where you have no joker in hand, evaluate if it is still possible to make impure sequences and sets with the cards in hand. If you need a joker card to form such groups, play for a few rounds and drop out if you still don’t get a joker card.

Difficulty forming a pure sequence

• 1. As per rummy rules, you must have at least one pure sequence for a valid declaration. If you have formed an impure sequence and a set but still have no pure sequences, your points will be capped at 80. Therefore, it is essential to make a pure sequence right at the beginning of the game. A group of three or more cards placed consecutively, from the same suit, is called a pure sequence. You cannot use a joker to make a pure sequence. 
• 2. At times, players find it challenging to find the third consecutive card to complete the sequence, even after several turns. During the initial stages of the game, if you face difficulties forming a pure sequence, take it as a cue to drop out with lower penalty points.