A standard Rummy table is a six-handed table, i.e. there are six players who can participate in a deal at max. Some Game organizers also organize 9-handed tables or 2-handed tables, but these are not the standard rule of the norm and should be avoided by Novice players. Such games are only meant for players who have at least a decade long experience in playing Rummy and get considered in the Professional Rummy Player category.
In the standard 6-handed Rummy game format, it is important to consider the number of players who are active in the deal. If you are sitting under the Hand of the dealer, this is an advantageous position, because this gives you the option of moving last on the deal round, and hence, the advantage of pre-emptive Drops of players who are poised to play before you. (For a complete discussion on the Seating and Position in Rummy, please visit our article on Why players hate sitting under the Hand of the Dealer.) Often, in a shorthanded game, the player sitting under the hand of the dealer can win by default if all the players before him drop the game. In a long-handed game, too, this position can be advantageous as you can calculate the number of active players on the table (i.e. the number of players who have not dropped their game) and take a call whether to enter the game or not. If there are 3 or fewer active players on the table, the game can be entered into with a medium to strong hand strength. If there are more active players on the table, it makes sense only to enter the Rummy Game on the strength of a strong hand.
The number of active players on the table is also important with respect to waiting for a card to declare your Rummy. If there are many active players on the table, the chance of your card being discarded or being available in the Book, is low and if there are fewer active players on the table, the probability of the same is higher.
Often, most Rummy players forget to consider the number of active players at the time of Game entry and instead end up considering the total number of players seated on the table, even if they have dropped the game. This slight alertness towards your competition can significantly improve your hand and game play.
