So what is Rummikub?
Rummikub is a tile based game invented in Romania by Ephraim Hertzano. It combines elements of the card game Rummy and the Chinese tile game of Mahjong.
Hertzano is reputed to have invented Rummikub as card games were banned under the post war Communist regime in Romania.
After he moved to Israel, Hertzano started making game sets by hand in his home and sold them door to door and through small shops. As the game grew in popularity, Hertzano expanded geographically by licensing the game to manufacturers in different countries. In the early 1970s, it was licensed in the United States and, by 1977 became one of the best selling games in the country. Strangely, at one point it was marketed as “Rummikid”.
In a game of Rummikub, each player is allocated 14 random tiles. Each player then takes it in turn to reduce their tiles by playing “sets”. For example, in the top rack above, there are 2 sets (3*13 and 2,3,4) which could be played. In the bottom rack there is only 1 set (7,8,9).
The game proceeds by each player collecting new tiles and playing sets until one player has played all of his tiles, when he will call “Rummikub!” and the game is over.
The U3A Jávea Rummikub Group meet every week (starting 4th September 2024) at 3pm in Maverick Bar on Avenida Lepanto in Jávea in order to start playing at 3.30pm until 5.30pm.
As the strapline on the box says “Rummikub brings people together”. It’s an easy game to learn and one which is great fun to play. If you’re interested in trying it out, contact the Group Leader Krystyna Stefancyck on social.rummikubs@u3ajavea.com.
