Depending upon whom you ask about the history of the game of rummy you might get several different answers. The reason for this is that the origins of rummy are not known for sure. However, there are several theories about where the game of rummy came from. Following are a few of the most common theories of how and where rummy originated.
One of the most common theories about the history of rummy is that it originated in Spain. One of the original Rummy variations was known as Conquian and is thought to have originated in Spain several hundred years ago. The game came to Mexico in the 1800s and spread across the border into Texas and the rest of the United States. The name Conquian was changed to “Cooncan”, because it was easier for Americans to pronounce. At the same time, the game made its way to England where players began to call it “Rum”, which was a slang word among the English meaning “Odd.” When the game made its way back across the Atlantic with this new name Americans began to call it by its present-day name-Rummy.
Another theory starts Rummy’s history out in an entirely different part of the world-China. There are many people that believe the game originated from a couple of Chinese card games known as “Khanhoo” and “Kon Khin”. Both of these games were played with rules similar to Rummy game variations, including the goal of creating combinations of cards, known today as “melds.” There are also a number of other Chinese games that are known today as part of the Rummy group of games, including Mah Jong.
There is yet another school of thought that believes Rummy originated from poker games. Poker and rummy have several similarities, including the idea that players can create straights and three-of-a-kinds. Additionally, there is an old poker variation that was called “Whiskey Poker” and over the years was called “Rum Poker” and then “Rummy.”
In actuality there is no way to prove which of these theories represents the true origin of Rummy. What is clear, however, is that rummy-like games have been played all over the world for centuries. The long and complicated history of the game has resulted in what is now one of the most complex and popular collections of card games and should be around for centuries to come.