Gin Rummy Scoring at a Glance
Scoring begins when a player knocks or goes gin. The goal is not simply to make melds; it is to finish the round with less deadwood than the opponent. Gin Rummy Hall uses a 100-point match target, a 10-point knock limit, a 25-point gin bonus, and a 25-point undercut bonus.
| Rule | Gin Rummy Hall setting |
|---|---|
| Knock limit | 10 deadwood points or fewer |
| Gin bonus | 25 points |
| Undercut bonus | 25 points |
| Match target | 100 points |
Card Values
| Card | Deadwood value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 point |
| 2 through 9 | Face value |
| 10, Jack, Queen, King | 10 points each |
Only unmatched cards count as deadwood. Cards in a valid set or run count zero.
How to Calculate Deadwood
Find the arrangement of sets and runs that leaves the lowest total value outside those melds. A card cannot be used twice, so a hand with overlapping possibilities must choose the best legal layout.
The heart run is melded. The unmatched 8♣ and A♦ produce 9 deadwood points.
Scoring a Normal Knock
After the defender lays off any legal cards, subtract the knocker’s deadwood from the defender’s remaining deadwood. The knocker receives the difference.
How Layoffs Affect the Score
On a normal knock, the defender can attach deadwood cards to the knocker’s exposed melds. This can significantly lower the defender’s total and may even create an undercut. The scoring engine automatically searches legal layoff combinations and uses the defender’s best result.
Undercut Scoring
If the defender finishes with deadwood equal to or lower than the knocker’s deadwood, the defender wins. The score is the difference plus the 25-point undercut bonus.
A tie also counts as an undercut. If both players have 6 deadwood, the defender receives the 25-point bonus.
Gin Scoring
When the knocker has zero deadwood, the result is gin. The opponent cannot lay off. The gin player scores all of the opponent’s deadwood plus the 25-point gin bonus.
Winning the Match
Scores carry over from round to round. The first player to reach at least 100 points wins the match. Gin Rummy Hall currently uses straightforward round scoring without extra box, line, shutout, or game bonuses sometimes found in house-rule variations.
Common Scoring Questions
Do melded cards score points?
No. Only deadwood matters when comparing hands.
Can the defender lay off after gin?
No. Layoffs are available after a normal knock, not after gin.
What happens if the defender ties the knocker?
The defender undercuts the knocker and receives the undercut bonus.
Why can two layouts give different deadwood?
Some cards can fit more than one meld. The legal arrangement that produces the lowest deadwood is the best scoring layout.