How gin rummy scoring works
Gin rummy is a two-player game scored on deadwood, the unmatched cards left in each hand, with bonuses for gin, for undercutting a knock, and for winning the game.
Deadwood
Each player holds ten cards and tries to form them into melds: sets of three or four of a rank, and runs of three or more in one suit. Cards that are not in a meld are deadwood. Face cards count 10, aces 1 and the other cards their number.
Knocking
A player whose deadwood is 10 or less may knock to end the hand. Both players show their hands, the opponent lays off any cards that fit the knocker's melds, and the knocker scores the difference between the two deadwood counts.
Undercuts
If the opponent's deadwood after laying off is equal to or lower than the knocker's, the knock has been undercut. The opponent scores the difference plus an undercut bonus, usually 25; some tables use 10 or 20.
Gin and big gin
Going gin means ending the hand with no deadwood at all. It scores the opponent's deadwood plus a 25-point bonus, and the opponent may not lay off. Big gin, where all eleven cards including the one just drawn form melds, is a variation worth 31 or 50 plus the deadwood.
Game, boxes and shutouts
The first player to 100 wins the game and a 100-point game bonus. Each player also gets a box, or line, bonus of 25 for every hand they won. If the loser did not score at all, the game is a shutout and the winner's whole score is usually doubled; some tables double only the game bonus.
Oklahoma Gin
In Oklahoma Gin the first upcard sets the knock limit for that hand, and if it is a spade the hand scores double. Score All has the spade double as a switch you mark on each hand; the knock limit is one setting for the whole game.
Dead hands
If the stock runs down to its last two cards and nobody has knocked, the hand is dead and nobody scores.
What Score All does with these rules
Knock, gin or a dead hand
Pick who went down and how. For a knock, enter the knocker's deadwood and the opponent's deadwood after laying off: the knocker scores the difference. If the opponent's deadwood is equal or lower, the app calls the undercut and gives them the difference plus the undercut bonus.
Gin and big gin
Gin scores the opponent's deadwood plus the gin bonus (25 by default). Big gin, all eleven cards melded, is an option with its own bonus. A dead hand, where the stock runs out with nobody down, scores nothing.
Boxes, the game bonus and shutouts
Each player's hands won are counted beside their total. When a player reaches the target the app adds the game bonus and a box bonus for every hand each player won. If the loser never scored, it doubles the winner's total or the game bonus, whichever your table plays.
Oklahoma Gin and knock limits
Turn on Oklahoma Gin and mark the hands where the upcard was a spade; those hands score double. The most deadwood you can knock with is a setting too, if your table plays lower than 10.
Gin Rummy scoring FAQ
What is an undercut in gin rummy?
When the player who did not knock ends up with deadwood equal to or lower than the knocker's. They score the difference plus a bonus, usually 25.
How many points is gin in gin rummy?
The opponent's deadwood plus a 25-point bonus. Some tables use 20.
What is a box in gin rummy?
A bonus for each hand won, usually 25, added at the end of the game. It is also called a line bonus.
What can you knock with in gin rummy?
10 points of deadwood or less in the standard game. In Oklahoma Gin the first upcard sets the limit for that hand.
Is there a free gin rummy score sheet app?
Yes. Score All keeps gin rummy score for free on any phone, with undercuts, gin bonuses, boxes and the game bonus worked out, on a hand-by-hand sheet you can correct at any time.
Can I play without the end-of-game bonuses?
Yes. The "No bonuses at the end" preset scores only the hands, first to 100. Every bonus value can also be set on its own.