Rummikub is a widely recognized board game that has gained popularity globally. It was created by Ephraim Hertzano, a Romanian-born Jew who moved to Israel after World War II. The game was initially produced by Lemada Light Industries Ltd, established by Hertzano in 1978. Rummikub is reminiscent of various central European card games played with two decks of cards, such as Machiavelli and Vatikan. Current Rummikub sets adhere solely to the Sabra version rules, overlooking the others, and rule variations exist among different publishers.
Gameplay and Features
Rummikub is played with a set of tiles, including 104 number tiles and two joker tiles. The game is suitable for 2-4 players aged 8 and above. It is recognized for its easy-to-grasp nature, fast pace, and unique gameplay each time. Combining elements of chance and strategy, the game keeps evolving, giving every player a shot at winning until the very end. It promotes STEM skills such as sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning.
In Rummikub, the goal is to be the first to play all tiles from your rack. Players can create runs or sets, regardless of ownership, with points calculated by summing tile numbers. A joker represents the value of the tile it replaces. No manipulation is allowed in the initial meld. Playing Rummikub online offers the advantage of automatic validation of the initial meld by the computer.