Paplu (Indian Rummy) India Guide

What is Paplu (Indian Rummy)?

Rummy is one of the most popular card games that is played in both land-based and online casinos. Believed to have been first invented by the Spanish, this game moved to America with the Spanish immigrant and thereafter took many forms. One such take on Rummy is Paplu.

The South-East Asian country has given it a slightly new twist. In India, each player is dealt 13 cards at the beginning of the game. The game also resembles the playing styles of “Celebs Rummy” and “Rhuk.” Locally, the game is called Paplu but in the West, thanks to online casinos, it is called Indian Rummy. 

A number of casinos like Royal Panda, Betway Casino, Spin Casino, Jackpot City, etc offer this game. Even though the Indian Supreme Court is strict in regard to online gambling, its verdict on Paplu is welcoming. Read this review to understand how Paplu is played, its legal status, casinos offering it and more. 

How is Paplu Played?

The Indian version of Rummy, Paplu, is quite similar to the original game. It is always played by an even number of players. If there are 2 players, a deck of 52 cards plus 2 jokers, are dealt and each player is given either 13 or 21 cards. Dealing 13 cards is more common. As the numbers of players increase, the decks of cards get increased too. Let’s learn how to play Paplu with two players with 13 cards each:

The Objective

Every player is supposed to use their cards and turn them into sets and runs. 

Beginning the Game

In a traditional offline setting, a dealer is chosen between the players. However, with online gaming, the casino becomes the dealer. Once the cards are shuffled, one card is chosen as a Wild. This card is placed in the centre and is visible to all. All the cards belonging to the same rank are deemed Wilds. Since there are only two Jokers, if one of them is chosen as a Wild then there will be only two Wilds in the game. Then, the players are given 13 cards each.

The rest of the cards are placed on the Wild card in the centre of the table. It is done in a manner that the Wild card is still visible while the other cards lay on top of it facing down.

The card at the top of the pile is flipped. It is called the discard card. If it turns out to be a Wild, play continues as normal.

The player will then attempt to create a set or a run by picking up one card from the pile on the table and discarding one card from their cards in hand. The game will continue till someone on the table wins.

Scoring in Paplu

When one of the players declares a win or a Paplu, all the players are required to count their points. Each card carries specific points. Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 are considered high cards. These give 10 points each. All the numbered cards offer their face value as their points. For example, if you have a 6 of Clubs, you will get 6 points. Similar;y, for a 3 of Clubs, you will get 3 points. Joker is a Wild and gives 0 points.

Can You Play Paplu Online in India With Real Money?

The Indian judiciary law does not allow online gambling, except for betting on horse races or participating in the lottery. While the Supreme Court of India has banned all online gambling, the laws are not clearly defined and no one has yet been prosecuted for playing online games.

Some states are lenient towards it and allow skill-based gaming like Paplu. Yet, one needs to be careful while using real money for playing Paplu. Many online casinos claim that it is legal but you need to check your state jurisdiction for it.

Paplu Winning Tips

Experienced Paplu players use a number of strategies to win their hands. They put Joker to good use and often complete a run with it. This comes in handy when you have already completed 2 runs. You can easily close the third run with a Joker.

Unlike slots, which is a chance game, Paplu is all about strategies. Keep an eye on your opponent. Look at the cards that they are discarding and collecting. This will help you in understanding their strategy and then you can adjust yours accordingly.

Real punters also know that you need to keep a track of both your wins and losses. They also create their own strategies by observing the environment.