Four in a Row or Rummy?

The key differences

• From 3 players on, only Rummy works: it goes up to 6 players, Four in a Row only up to 2.
• Four in a Row rewards skill more than Rummy (pure skill vs. skill and luck).
• Four in a Row is over sooner: usually 3–10 minutes, while Rummy takes 15–40 minutes.
• Four in a Row is quicker to learn than Rummy (explained in a minute vs. clear after one round).
• Four in a Row works from age 5, we recommend Rummy from 9.
• Four in a Row has more interaction than Rummy (you react to each other vs. little contact).
• In Rummy everyone has secret information on their phone; in Four in a Row more is out in the open.
• Four in a Row is one of the Board and dice games, Rummy one of the Card games.

At a glance

At a glance	Four in a Row	Rummy
Type	Board and dice games	Card games
Players	2 players	2–6 players
Length of a game	3–10 min	15–40 min
Age	ages 5+	ages 9+
Luck or skill	pure skill	skill and luck
Noise level	calm	calm
Learning curve	explained in a minute	clear after one round
Interaction	you react to each other	little contact
TV	not needed	not needed
Against the computer	yes	yes
Teams	no	no
Bluffing	no	no
Reading needed	no	no

Which one suits you?

Four in a Row

Discs drop into columns, and the first to line up four wins. Any kid gets the rules, yet every game is a small duel of thinking one move ahead.

Pick Four in a Row when two people want a clear-cut duel for a few minutes.

Rummy

Collect sets and runs, lay down at least 30 points to open, then add to the table until your hand is empty. Whoever is still holding cards counts penalty points – and after each round you decide whether to play on or tally up.

Pick Rummy when you want a laid-back card game with some thinking that can fill an evening.

What they have in common

• Both only work with exactly 2 players.
• Both also work without a TV, right on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
• You can play both against the computer.
• Both come free with Gather and need no account.