User Contributed Dictionary
Adjective
rookyExtensive Definition
Rooky is a Rummy-like card game
based on the usage of a Rook
deck rather than a standard 56 playing card deck. The rules, while
closely resembling a simple game of Rummy, integrates some of
Rook's popular elements, such as trick-tacking and team-play. The
game is usually suggested for 2 - 5 players, though larger groups
and teams are encouraged. There are also special rules for dealing
with 6 or more players.
The name 'Rooky' is thought to be a combination
of Rook + Rummy.
= Game Basics =
In Rooky, the objective of the game is to be the
player (or team) with the highest-scoring melds. This usually
involves strict teamwork and capturing (or stealing) opponent
melds. A preset score goal is usually established before game play,
allowing players to go through several hands before this goal is
met and the game ends.
After dealing and bidding has finished, the
player with the highest bid executes a turn, drawing a card from
the deck (or graveyard, when applicable) and shuffling through
possible plays. Like Rummy, the player is not necessarily obligated
to play a meld when one is available -- she or he may hold onto it
for later. After making this decision, a card from the hand is
discarded into the graveyard, (see below) and the player's turn
ends.
Once a player has discarded their last card, they
are considered to be out. Out status means that the player is out
of the current hand, and can no longer contribute until the other
player(s) have finished. Following the first player going out, all
other players must also go out except for the last, who is left
with a hand of penalty cards. Going out is not to be confused with
'floating,' however -- players who run out of cards due to playing
melds are considered to be floating, and will continue to draw
until a final discard is made, bringing them into the out
status.
Once all other players have gone out, the scores
are tallied, with the remaining player suffering a penalty
according to the cards left in their hand at the time. (The
stand-alone value of the remainder cards are subtracted from the
penalized player's total score.) When playing in teams, scores are
always tallied in that particular group, and not attributed to the
individual players.
Dealing
In a standard 2 - 5 person game, 7 cards are
dealt (clock- or counter-clockwise) to all players. When playing
with more than 5 persons, only 5 cards are dealt. The order of who
deals usually depends on who lost the previous hand, though there
are no strict rules as to how this order may be determined, and can
depend entirely on preference.
Bidding
After the deal, each player takes a glance at
their hands and makes a rough prediction (or bluff) of how much
they'll be able to score. This value can range from 5 - 120, always
being a multiple of 5. (Larger bid values may be called in
team-play, as higher scores are easier to obtain.) After the
initial bids are announced, the players may feel free to change
their bids until an agreement is reached and each player has
settled on a solid value. Then, the player / team with the highest
bid takes the right of going first, with the second-highest (and
next lowest, etc.) proceeding in turn order. Once the hand is
finished, the winner is awarded a score bonus equal to their bid,
while the losers suffer a penalty equal to their own bids.
Teams
Although teams cooperate in forming melds,
teammates may not look at one another's hand, nor may they make
hints at which cards are in their possession.
Making Plays
When a meld is played, (of matching or sequential
card combinations of two or more) it is placed face-up on the table
in front of the player (or team) who made it. The types of
available plays are listed below in the
Plays & Sequences section. In team-play, groups have the
option of merging melds in order to form some of the larger
sequences, unlocking otherwise difficult plays.
When making or capturing a play, the sequence
doesn't necessarily have to be followed right to left. Players may,
for example, meld a 12 and 13 (of the same suit) without having
everything that comes beforehand. The previous cards may then be
added to the meld as they become available.
Capturing
Capturing is the process of stealing melds from
opponent players. This is achieved when the player's hand can allow
for them to add to an opponent's weak play with two or more cards.
(see below) This is similar to playing from opponent melds in
Rummy, though the player is actually rewarded their opponent's meld
rather than piggybacking it for a minor score extension. For
example:
Player 1 has made the following weak play...
Red-1 + Red-2 + Red-3 = 15 points
Player 2, having Red-4 and Red-5 in his deck,
captures Player 1s meld, turning it into a Red-1 through Red-5 weak
play for 25 points.
Consequently, players may capture back a play
while it is still weak, and at an indefinite number of times.
However, once a meld has become locked in a strong state, it
becomes impossible to capture it, unless the wild Rook card is used
to extend the play. (Only when sequentially logical.) For
example:
Player 1 turns his weak play of Red-4 + Green-4 +
Black-4 into a strong play by adding Yellow-4. Normally, this meld
cannot be captured, as there are no more 4's in the deck. However,
since the Rook is wild, it may be substituted as another 4,
allowing the meld to be taken.
The Graveyard
When a player is ready to discard and end the
turn, a card is placed face-down into the graveyard, which is
generally just a second drawing deck. This gives players the option
of taking their chances with the graveyard, rather than the
standard deck only. Players may easily exploit this to their
benefit, purposely discarding certain cards for the advantage /
disadvantage of opponents and teammates.
= Plays & Sequences =
- Weak Play ... (variable score)
- This is the most common type of play, consisting of a meld of either a numbered sequence of one suit, or two or more matching numbers of any suit. Usually, every play starts off as weak, and progressively grows into a stronger meld as the hand progresses. During this time, there is a very large window of opportunity for capturing. The score of weak plays are determined solely by the stand-alone value of each card in the meld added together.
- Strong Play ... 50 points (70 w/ Rook bonus)
- When 4 cards of the same number are played, this is considered a strong play. As mentioned above, a strong play cannot be captured unless the wild Rook is used to substitute a fifth number in the sequence.
- Spread (weak) ... 55 points (75 w/ Rook bonus)
- This is a simple meld numbered 1 - 5 of one suit.
- Straight (weak) ... 75 points (95 w/ Rook bonus)
- This meld consists of a suit of cards numbered 1 - 10.
- Full Suit (strong) ... 110 points
- Full suits consist of 1 entire color suit, numbered 1 through 14. Though difficult to attain, this meld offers a high score bonus.
- Master Suit (strong) ... 140 points
- A master suit is a full suit with the Rook card tagged on the end of the meld. A master suit is the highest possible meld in the game.
Card Values
†Optionally, some players may consider all 1's
(and sometimes, 2's, 3's and 4's) to be null of value. This tends
to make them less common in plays, allowing a larger window for
captures.
= See Also =