Rummikub
Tile & Domino Games · 8 specs
Direct Answer
Rummikub is a tile-based game combining elements of Rummy and Mahjong, played with 106 tiles (numbers 1–13 in four colors plus two Jokers). Players must achieve an initial meld threshold of 30 points before being permitted to manipulate, split, and rearrange all existing tiles on the board to form valid Groups and Runs.
Source: World Rummikub Championship (WRC) Official Rules · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Total Tiles in Set | 106 tiles |
| Number Tiles (1–13) | 104 tiles (two sets of 4 colors: Black, Blue, Red, Yellow) |
| Joker Tiles | 2 wild tiles |
| Starting Rack Size | 14 tiles per player |
| Initial Meld Threshold | 30 points minimum (own tiles only) |
| Turn Time Limit | 1 minute (tournament standard) |
| Minimum Meld Size | 3 tiles (Group or Run) |
| Standard Tile Dimensions | 27 × 38 × 5 mm (standard plastic tile) |
Valid Tile Sets: Groups vs. Runs
Every meld placed on the table must contain a minimum of 3 tiles:
- Group: Three or four tiles of the SAME NUMBER in DIFFERENT COLORS (e.g., Red 7 + Blue 7 + Black 7).
- Run: Three or more CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS in the SAME COLOR (e.g., Blue 4 + Blue 5 + Blue 6). Numbers cannot wrap around (1 cannot follow 13).
The 30-Point Initial Meld Rule
Before a player can participate in table manipulation, they must place one or more sets from their rack whose point values sum to at least 30 points:
- The 30 points must come entirely from tiles on their own rack (no borrowing from table).
- Jokers used count as the face value of the tile they represent.
- If a player cannot (or chooses not to) make a 30-point initial meld, they must draw 1 tile from the pool and end their turn.
Table Manipulation & Joker Replacement
After completing the initial meld, players may rearrange existing table tiles in any way, provided all resulting table sets remain valid melds of at least 3 tiles:
- Adding to existing sets or splitting long runs.
- Substituting a tile from hand for a Joker on the board and immediately using the reclaimed Joker in a new meld.
- Penalty for Incomplete Moves: If a player scrambles the board and cannot leave all tiles in valid melds within the 1-minute time limit, they must return all tiles to their original positions, draw 3 penalty tiles, and forfeit their turn.