Rummy or Thirty-One?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- From 7 players on, only Thirty-One works: it goes up to 9 players, Rummy only up to 6.
- Thirty-One is over sooner: usually 10–20 minutes, while Rummy takes 15–40 minutes.
- Thirty-One is louder than Rummy (lively vs. calm).
- Thirty-One is quicker to learn than Rummy (quick to learn vs. clear after one round).
- Thirty-One has more interaction than Rummy (you react to each other vs. little contact).
At a glance
| At a glance | Rummy | Thirty-One |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Card games | Card games |
| Players | 2–6 players | 2–9 players |
| Length of a game | 15–40 min | 10–20 min |
| Age | ages 9+ | ages 8+ |
| Luck or skill | skill and luck | skill and luck |
| Noise level | calm | lively |
| Learning curve | clear after one round | quick to learn |
| Interaction | little contact | you react to each other |
| TV | not needed | not needed |
| Against the computer | yes | yes |
| Teams | no | no |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | no | no |
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.
Thirty-One
Three cards in your hand, three in the middle: swap until one suit gets as close to 31 as you can. Whoever knocks ends the round – and the worst hand then loses a life.
Pick Thirty-One when a bigger group wants a fast card game with a bit of a thrill.
What they have in common
- Both work for 2–6 players.
- Both are Card games.
- Both also work without a TV, right on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- You can play both against the computer.
- In both, everyone has secret information on their own phone.
- Both work from age 9.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.