What is a run in Rummy?

The run is the meld that rewards patience: you are stringing together a ladder of same-suit cards, and the longer it gets, the more of your hand becomes safe.

Quick answer: A run, also called a sequence, is three or more cards in consecutive rank order that all share the same suit - for example, the 4, 5 and 6 of clubs. It is one of the two kinds of meld, alongside the set. In most Rummy games Aces are low, so A-2-3 is valid but Q-K-A is not, and runs do not wrap around.

What makes a valid run

A run is three or more cards of one suit in unbroken sequence, such as 9-10-Jack of spades. You can extend it as far as the cards allow, so 5-6-7-8 of hearts is a single four-card run. Every card in a run must be the same suit - mixing suits breaks it.

Where the Ace sits

In most games, including Gin Rummy, the Ace is low: A-2-3 is a valid run but Q-K-A is not, and the sequence never wraps from King back around to Ace. Some variants such as Rummy 500 let the Ace play high or low, so it is always worth checking the house rule.

Run vs. set

A run needs consecutive ranks in one suit; a set needs matching ranks across suits. A run with no wild card standing in for a missing rank is called a pure sequence, which matters a lot in Indian Rummy. See the set versus run answer for more.

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Related questions

What is a set in Rummy?

A set is three or four cards of the same rank, each from a different suit - for example, the 8 of hearts, 8 of spades and 8 of clubs. Sometimes called a group or a book, it is one of the two ways to build a meld, alongside the run. You can never have more than four cards in a set because there are only four suits.

What is a pure sequence in Rummy?

A pure sequence is a run - three or more consecutive cards of the same suit - formed without any joker or wild card standing in for a missing card. It matters most in Indian Rummy, where a valid declaration must include at least one pure sequence. A run that uses a wild to fill a gap is called an impure sequence instead.

What is the difference between a set and a run?

A set is three or four cards of the same rank in different suits, like three Kings. A run is three or more consecutive cards all of the same suit, like the 5-6-7 of hearts. A set matches on rank and ignores suit; a run matches on suit and needs consecutive ranks. Both are valid melds that clear cards from your deadwood.