What Is Rummikub?
Rummikub is a tile-based matching game for 2 to 6 players. The goal is to be the first player to empty your rack by placing all your tiles onto the board in valid sets or runs.
Getting Started
Joining or Creating a Game
- Enter your name in the name input field on the lobby screen.
- Pick an avatar color from the six available options.
- Either click "Create New Room" to host a new game (you become the host), or click "Join Room" and enter the 5-letter room code shared by the host.
- The host waits for at least 2 players to join, then starts the game.
Host Controls
- The host can boot (remove) players from the room before the game begins.
- Only the host can start the game and later offer a rematch.
Game Rules
Tiles
- Numbered tiles from 1 through 13 in four colors: red, blue, orange, and black.
- Joker tiles (wild cards) can substitute for any tile but are worth 30 penalty points if left on your rack at the end.
Valid Combinations
- Groups — Three or four tiles of the same number but in different colors (e.g., a red 7, blue 7, and black 7).
- Runs — Three or more consecutive numbers of the same color (e.g., blue 3, blue 4, blue 5, blue 6).
Initial Meld Requirement: By default, your first play must consist of sets or runs that total 30 or more points (using the face values of the tiles). The host can disable this requirement using the "No initial meld minimum" house rule.
Turn Sequence
On your turn, you can either:
- Play tiles from your rack onto the board in valid groups or runs, then confirm your turn.
- Draw a tile from the pool if you cannot or choose not to play.
You may also rearrange existing tiles on the board to incorporate your own tiles into new valid combinations, as long as all sets on the board remain valid at the end of your turn.
Controls & UI
Rack Management
- Click a tile on your rack to select it; click again to deselect.
- Select multiple tiles to play them together. Numbered badges show the selection order.
- Use the Sort button to organize your rack (toggles between sorting by color and by number).
- Use the Clear selection button to deselect all tiles.
Playing Tiles
- Drag and drop tiles from your rack onto the board to place them in sets.
- Click the "New set" (+) button on the board to create a new set slot.
- You can drag tiles between existing sets on the board to rearrange them.
- You can drag tiles back to your rack if you change your mind (before confirming).
Action Buttons
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Play (checkmark) | Confirm and submit your turn |
| Draw (down arrow) | Draw one tile from the pool (ends your turn) |
| Undo (reverse arrow) | Reverse your last action (available once per turn) |
| Sort (up/down arrows) | Sort tiles on your rack |
Visual Feedback
- Red borders appear around invalid sets, so you know what needs to be fixed before submitting.
- Drop-target highlighting shows where you can place tiles during drag operations.
- Ghost tiles appear while dragging to preview placement.
Multiplayer Features
Room Codes
Share the 5-letter room code with friends so they can join your game.
Turn Indicators
- Player chips at the top show each player's name and tile count.
- A turn badge highlights the active player.
- The pool count shows how many tiles remain to be drawn.
Turn Timer (Optional)
The host can enable a turn timer: 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds. If time runs out, a tile is automatically drawn for the player, ending their turn. Audio warnings play as time gets low.
Chat
- An in-game chat is available as a messaging overlay.
- A notification indicator appears when there are unread messages.
Customization
Access settings to personalize the game appearance:
Tile Palettes
- Classic (default)
- Jewel Box
- Pastel Beach
- Clean (colorblind-friendly)
- Neon Arcade
Board Colors
- Dark Green, Light Green, Blue, Brown, Synthwave, Space, Ocean
Tile Sizes
- Small (46px), Medium (58px), Large (72px)
Sound Effects
Can be toggled on or off. The game includes sound effects for tile selection, playing, drawing, winning, and timer warnings.
Winning the Game
- The first player to play all tiles from their rack wins.
- A trophy screen announces the winner along with a score summary.
- Scores are calculated based on the remaining tiles in each losing player's rack (Jokers count as 30 points).
- The Hall of Fame leaderboard on the lobby screen tracks the last 5 winners with timestamps.
- After the game ends, the host can offer a Rematch, or players can return to the lobby.
Tips for New Players
Meet the initial meld requirement first — focus on getting combinations that total 30+ points for your opening play.
Watch the board — you can rearrange existing board tiles to fit your own tiles into new valid combinations.
Use Jokers strategically — they are powerful but carry a 30-point penalty if left on your rack when someone else wins.
Sort your rack often — toggling between color and number sorting can help you spot potential runs and groups.
Keep an eye on opponents' tile counts — the player chips show how many tiles each player has remaining.
Technical Notes
- The game works on desktop and mobile devices with a responsive, touch-optimized interface.
- Session persistence means you can reconnect if you lose your connection — a reconnection banner will appear automatically.
- The game uses WebSockets for real-time updates with a polling fallback for compatibility.