Is Rummy A Game Of Luck Or A Game Of Skill?
The majority of Rummy games require considerable skill to play well. Most can be picked up and played recreationally within just a few minutes, but to truly master a game, particularly the more intricate versions of Rummy, requires skills that can only be gained with experience, a watchful eye, and many hours of play.
Of course, as with nearly all card games, chance does play a part. To begin a game, the deck is shuffled. This randomization of the cards is the principal element in which chance (or "luck", if you will) enters the game. From that point forward, you never quite know what card is coming next.
In fact, a significant skill in any card game is keeping track of what cards have been revealed (the cards in your own hand, and the cards you and your opponents have played and discarded), and what cards are yet to be revealed (either being held by your opponents, or remaining hidden in the deck).
The bottom line is that, though they do include an element of chance, Rummy games are predominantly games of skill.
The following are some quotes that support this position:
The United States Playing Card Company: "Although much luck is involved, the skill required far outweighs the chance factor, and Gin ranks as one of the most demanding of all card games."
GameColony: "In 1964 a Las Vegas-based Gin Rummy tournament was promoted by mailing flyers to players. The post office objected on the grounds that it was illegal to promote a 'game of chance' (a lottery) through postal services. This case ended up in court. After listening to the testimony of experts that included statisticians and several prominent players, the US District Court of Las Vegas on February 23, 1965, ruled that Gin Rummy is indeed a game of skill."
