1. Match tiles into sets
In a standard Tilery game, each player starts with 14 tiles. The remaining tiles form the draw pool. The standard deck has numbered tiles from 1 to 13 in four colours, plus two jokers.
- Group means three or four tiles of the same number, each a different colour. A red 8, blue 8 and black 8 make a group. Two red 8s cannot go in the same group.
- Run means three or more consecutive numbers of the same colour. Orange 9, 10 and 11 make a run. A run cannot wrap from 13 back to 1.
A group: one number, different colours
2. Open with 30 points
Your first play is called the opening meld. In standard Tilery, play one or more valid sets worth at least 30 points in the same turn. Use tiles from your own rack and leave existing sets intact. Add the numbers shown on your tiles. A joker counts as the number it represents.
Example. Orange 9, 10 and 11 total exactly 30. You can also combine two smaller sets in one turn if their total reaches 30. Tilery tables can use a different opening minimum under house rules.
A run worth exactly 30
3. Play or draw
On later turns, you can lay down a set, extend a set or rearrange the table. To finish a play, add at least one tile from your rack and leave every table tile in a valid set. If you cannot or choose not to play from your rack, draw one tile and end your turn. You can play that tile on a later turn.
4. Use and reuse jokers
A joker can stand in for a missing tile. In a blue 5–joker–7 run, the joker stands for blue 6. Once you have opened, you could add a blue 6 from your rack and use the freed joker with a red 10 and black 10 to make a group of tens. Keep the joker on the table in a valid set by the end of the turn.
5. Win the hand
Finish a legal play with no tiles left in your rack to win the hand. Before you tap End turn, check that every row is a valid group or run. In Tilery, you can undo an unfinished rearrangement and draw instead.
How these rules compare with Rummikub Classic
Rummikub Classic uses the same matching patterns for numbered tiles. A group matches the number across different colours. A run matches the colour and follows consecutive numbers. Both use a 30-point opening from your own rack under their standard rules.
For a physical Rummikub set, use the official booklet for your edition, especially for joker retrieval, timing and scoring. Tilery is an independent tile rummy game. Official Rummikub rules by edition
Try a tile rummy puzzle
Go deeper with our illustrated learning guides, then try a move for yourself.
Practise rearranging a run and finding a new group in a short browser challenge. The first puzzle is playable without an email.
Choose your next game with our guide to Tilery’s features, or get Tilery for iPhone and iPad.
Learn a move at a time
These independent Rummikub Classic guides explain the physical game with original examples. Each names the rules edition it follows.
- Joker rules: replacing and reusing jokers — see valid moves and common mistakes.
- Strategy with worked moves — organise your rack, split runs and weigh the risk of holding tiles.
- Scoring examples and a printable score sheet — count normal finishes, jokers and blocked games.