Rummy or Sketch Round?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- From 7 players on, only Sketch Round works: it goes up to 10 players, Rummy only up to 6.
- Sketch Round needs a TV, or an iPad or Mac as the table; Rummy also runs on phones alone.
- Sketch Round needs at least 3 players – with fewer people, only Rummy works.
- Sketch Round is louder than Rummy (loud vs. calm).
- Only Rummy can be played against the computer – Sketch Round needs real players.
- Sketch Round is quicker to learn than Rummy (explained in a minute vs. clear after one round).
- Sketch Round has more interaction than Rummy (lots of back and forth vs. little contact).
- Sketch Round is over sooner: usually 10–20 minutes, while Rummy takes 15–40 minutes.
At a glance
| At a glance | Rummy | Sketch Round |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Card games | Party games |
| Players | 2–6 players | 3–10 players |
| Length of a game | 15–40 min | 10–20 min |
| Age | ages 9+ | ages 7+ |
| Luck or skill | skill and luck | mostly skill |
| Noise level | calm | loud |
| Learning curve | clear after one round | explained in a minute |
| Interaction | little contact | lots of back and forth |
| TV | not needed | needed |
| Against the computer | yes | no |
| Teams | no | no |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | no | yes |
Which one suits you?
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.
Sketch Round
One person draws on their phone while everyone else watches the picture appear live on the TV and types a guess. Faster correct guesses score more – and the worst drawings tend to be the funniest.
Pick Sketch Round when three to ten people are gathered around a TV and like to laugh.
What they have in common
- Both work for 3–6 players.
- In both, everyone has secret information on their own phone.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.