There’s something about October that makes us all go into “cozy” mode. The smell of rain, nighttime comes quicker, and the air is crisper; as such, it is a great time to start gathering with friends and family at home. We love finding ways to keep ourselves entertained during the indoor months, and we love turning to classic card games such as Rummy. This is a timeless card game that is easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and perfect with a glass in hand.

How to Play Rummy

Rummy is all about creating sets and runs of cards. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Setup: Grab a standard deck of cards (or two decks if you’ve got a big group). Each player is dealt 7 cards (sometimes 10, depending on house rules). The rest go face down as the draw pile, with the top card flipped face up as the discard pile.

The Goal: Make “melds,” which are either:

  • Sets: Three or four cards of the same rank (like 8♦ 8♣ 8♠).

  • Runs: Three or more cards in sequence of the same suit (like 5♠ 6♠ 7♠).

Gameplay: On your turn, you draw a card (from the draw pile or discard pile), then discard one card. You’re always working toward making melds.

Going Out: Once you’ve melded all your cards (or all but one to discard), the round ends, and players tally points based on what’s left in their hands.

Winning: Play to a set score (commonly 100, 200, or 500), or just enjoy a few rounds for fun.

It’s simple enough for beginners, but competitive enough to keep everyone laughing and scheming through the evening. You can even up the ante! Maybe the first player to get to the higher overall score wins a prize, or make it a tournament!

Wine & Food Pairing Idea

Rummy nights call for something approachable and versatile in the glass. Pinot Noir is a perfect choice for fall. For a white option, Chardonnay offers a cozy richness that complements fall flavors and feels right at home by candlelight. Keep the food approachable – think Spaghetti Bolognese, Pumpkin and Chickpea Chili (recipe below!), or have everyone bring an appetizer!

So next time you’re looking for an easy way to host, shuffle up the deck and deal in for a round (or three) of Rummy. Good friends, good wine, and a little friendly competition — that’s entertainment at its best.

Pumpkin & Chickpea Chili – serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 8oz. pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 8oz. garbanzo beans
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • salt and pepper

In a large pot, heat the olive oil and add the onions and garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until just soft. Add the spices, and sautee for another minute until fragrant. Add the pumpkin, tomatoes, stock, and garbanzo beans. Mix everything together then bring it to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat, and let the chili sit before serving. Check your seasoning levels and adjust as you like. Serve with cilantro, chopped green onions, over rice, with queso fresco or crema, you can even add any meat you may like!