Marriage
Legendary 21-card Nepali rummy game played with 3 decks. Form pure tunnelas and sequences to reveal the secret Tiplu joker and score Maal points.
How to play
2 to 5 players are dealt 21 cards each from a 3-deck shoe (156 cards).
One card is cut as the secret Tiplu joker and placed face down under the stock.
Draw 1 card from the stock or discard pile, and discard 1 card each turn.
Form at least 3 Pure Combinations (Pure Sequences or 3-of-a-kind Tunnelas) to become 'Seen' and unlock the Tiplu joker.
Once Seen, Tiplu, Poplu, Jhiplu, and Alter act as wild cards and score high Maal points. Form 7 combinations to declare victory.
About Marriage
Marriage is an iconic and deeply strategic 21-card rummy game from Nepal and India played by two to five players using three standard 52-card decks with 156 cards. Players are dealt twenty-one cards, and a secret wild card called the Tiplu is placed face down beneath the stock. The game progresses in two phases: the Unseen phase, where players must first meld three pure sequences or tunnelas (three identical cards) to become Seen, and the Seen phase, where the Tiplu, along with its adjacent-rank Poplu and Jhiplu and Alter cards, act as wild cards and award valuable Maal bonus points. A player who builds seven complete melds declares victory to win the round.
Marriage at a glance
| Players | 2–5 players |
|---|---|
| Type | Table game: play online with friends, or with bots in any seat |
| Family | Rummy |
| Bot levels | Easy, medium and hard |
| Options | Target Points: 20 or 10 or 50 |
| Turn timer (online) | 30 seconds |
| Cost | Free, no download |
Tips for Marriage
- Focus on becoming Seen as fast as possible: build three pure sequences or tunnelas early so you can unlock the Tiplu and make use of wild jokers.
- Watch for Tunnelas (three identical cards in rank and suit): they count as pure melds immediately and score generous Maal points once you are Seen.
- Hold on to candidate Tiplu suits and ranks when near turning, as identifying the wild card can instantly transform loose cards into lucrative Maal combinations.
Questions about Marriage
How many people can play Marriage?
Marriage is played by between 2 and 5 players. Real players and bots can share a table, so a game can always start even if you do not have enough people.
Can I play Marriage against the computer?
Yes. Pick easy, medium or hard bots and start straight away. Bots only use what a player in their seat could see, so they cannot peek at your cards.
Can I play Marriage online with friends?
Yes. Create a private room and share its code, or join a quick match. If someone drops out mid-game, a bot takes over their seat.
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