Ten Pennies
Contract rummy with pennies: buy discards for 1 penny plus an extra penalty card, meld progressive sets and runs, and finish with lowest score.
How to play
Played over 3 progressive rounds with a 104-card double deck. Each player starts with 10 pennies.
Round 1 requires two sets of 3; Round 2 requires one set of 3 and one run of 4; Round 3 requires two runs of 4.
On your turn, draw from the stock, draw the discard, or spend 1 penny to buy the discard plus an extra card.
Meld your required contract once held, and discard one card to end your turn.
The round ends when a player sheds their last card. Lowest cumulative score after 3 rounds wins.
About Ten Pennies
Ten Pennies, also known as Ten Penny Rummy or Contract Rummy, is an entertaining multi-round rummy game for two to five players using a 104-card double deck. Players start with ten pennies used to buy discards out of turn. Across three progressive rounds, players must achieve specific melding contracts: Round 1 requires two sets of 3, Round 2 requires one set of 3 and one run of 4, and Round 3 requires two runs of 4. Players can draw normally or spend a penny to buy the discard plus an extra penalty card. The player with the lowest total penalty score across three rounds wins.
Ten Pennies 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 |
| Turn timer (online) | 30 seconds |
| Cost | Free, no download |
Tips for Ten Pennies
- Conserve your pennies for the second and third rounds where contract requirements are stricter and buying crucial cards is decisive.
- Only buy the discard if the card immediately completes a set or run; buying too early clutters your hand with unmelded deadwood.
- Discard high-penalty cards (Aces and face cards) when you are not actively using them in melds to minimize penalty points if an opponent goes out.
Questions about Ten Pennies
How many people can play Ten Pennies?
Ten Pennies 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 Ten Pennies 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 Ten Pennies 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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