Tell me more ×
Board & Card Games Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who like playing board games, designing board games or modifying the rules of existing board games. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite

I don't have the paper rules here as a reference, but I grew up playing Rummikub with the rule that, if you replaced a joker on the table you must immediately replay the joker in a run or set with at least 2 tiles from your hand. This rule could make the endgame particularly interesting. We also played that the joker froze whatever group of tiles it was in--they couldn't be manipulated without replacing the joker. However, I just looked up the rules online to settle a dispute about making the initial meld, and noticed that both of these special joker rules are missing.

I'm pretty sure that way back when they were official, not house rules; were they? If so, when (and for bonus points, why) were they changed?

share|improve this question
My family played by those rules as well and I was confused when I played with another group of friends and we checked the joker rules. – Bryan Rosander Apr 16 '12 at 19:24

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

According to the official rules, your house rule (which I also used to play) IS currently official:

Once a player replaces a joker, they must use it in the same turn as part of a set.

Although it specifically contradicts your other house rule about manipulating sets containing a Joker:

Sets containing jokers can be split and manipulated like regular sets.

FWIW, I used to play that Jokers didn't have to be replayed in NEW sets, but could alternatively be played in existing sets (e.g. I replace a Joker, and then add it to a 6-7-8 run as a 5 to allow me to play a 4). I infer from your question that your house rules require Jokers be replayed into new sets, but I may be misunderstanding your explanation.

Source: http://www.rummikub.com/info/Rules.aspx

share|improve this answer
Also of interest might be this discussion on Boardgamegeek boardgamegeek.com/thread/371138/old-rules-new-rules (although I confess I didn't fully read it) – Johno Apr 19 '12 at 10:22
That link is useful, basically confirming that the official rules have changed a lot over the years. – shujaa Apr 21 '12 at 17:34
Also, you did understand my explanation. We play where at least two tiles played with the Joker must be new from your hand. – shujaa Oct 26 '12 at 7:30

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.