The Difference Between Pure and Impure Sequences in Indian Rummy
A popular card game in India, Indian Rummy is all about making sets and sequences so that one can declare properly. Whether you play Indian rummy online or with your friends at a table, you need to familiarize yourself with pure sequences as well as impure sequences being the most basic form of requirement for the effectiveness of play. This post will delve into what separates one kind from another, why they both matter and offer some advice on becoming really good at it.
What is a Sequence in Indian Rummy?
In Indian Rummy, a sequence refers to three or four cards of similar suits arranged in a numerical order. There are two kinds of sequences namely:
- Pure Sequence
- Impure Sequence
Both of these types have their significance in the Indian rummy game because they determine whether or not you will be able to declare a win.
Pure Sequence
For someone to make a valid declaration and win in Indian Rummy there is a vital condition that he must have; a pure sequence which is a group of 3 or more running cards belonging to the same suit and without making use of jokers be it wild or printed.
Examples
- In the absence of Joker: 5♠, 6♠, 7♠
- In Original Value but With Wild Joker: If a wild joker is the 8♦ but being used in its natural order just like having 7♦, 8♦, 9♦ then it will be considered as a pure sequence only.
Importance
It is a must that there should be one pure sequence for you to declare and make sense. Failure to do this would render your hand invalid and carry an 80-point penalty. To enhance the probability of having a valid declaration, every payer must target at least one pure sequence at the beginning of the game.
Tips for Forming Pure Sequences
- At the start of the game, prioritize putting together the same suit cards that are in order.
- Make sure you don't use jokers just to make a proper sequence - keep them for when making impure sequences or sets.
- Throw away unconnected high cards if they fail to help make a pure run.
Impure Sequence
Any sequence that is not pure and consists of three or more cards that have been arranged consecutively and are from the same suit with one or more jokers used in place of a card that is missing whether printed or wild.
Examples
- Printed Joker: 8♥, Printed Joker, 10♥ (In this case, the Printed Joker takes the space of 9♥).
- Wild Joker: 3♠, Wild Joker (e.g. K♦), 5♠ (Joker stands for 4♠).
Importance
Although beneficial, impure sequences are not compulsory in a valid declaration and they allow players to strategically utilize jokers in completing their sequences if they don’t have certain cards.
Tips for Forming Impure Sequences
- If there are certain cards that you do not have, then make good use of jokers to finish impure sequences.
- Begin by trying to create pure sequences; then proceed to the other one.
- Don’t depend too much on wildcards; make sure you have a combination of both pure and impure sequences in your hand.
Conclusion
One has to know what a sequence is in Indian Rummy, especially the two types; the pure and impure sequences. The pure sequence is very important because one cannot win without it when playing. On the other hand, jokers can be used for making flexible sequences known as impure ones. If a player learns how to do this properly and follows this simple advice, then he will improve at rummy, have fun playing it – and win more frequently.
