This is an open event. All card and board games are welcome today!

Although it's an 'open' event today, we're going to be giving focus to rummy games. Rummy games are those where players gain points through declaring certain combinations of cards held in their hand. Rummy itself not so much a specific game as a large family of games based on a particular way of playing with cards. It's a method generally known as "draw and discard", because at each turn you draw one or more cards from a stockpile and throw out an unwanted card in exchange. Your aim in doing this is to form your hand into sets of matching cards, or melds.

These types of games are globally popular, but really haven't been played at our events. So here's your chance to play and learn

Here are some of the more popular melding games that you may see today:

• Gin Rummy is a "knock rummy" game, in that melds are only displayed when one player can go out. Players score points based on the cards remaining in other opponents hands.
  
• Rummy 500 is a member of the "Rummy" family of card games. It is more formally known as "Five Hundred Rum" and is documented in Hoyle's Rules Of Games. Unlike Gin Rummy, you play their melds on the table, so that other players know where they stand in the game. At the end of the round, all the players count the total value of the cards they have melded, and subtract the value of the cards they have left in their hands. Each player's result is added to their cumulative score.
  
• Canasta is one of the most developed varieties of Rummy. This game has the Bridge-inspired distinction of being a four-player partnership game with a very formal code of rules and scores. Canasta dates from the 1940s as originates from South America.
  

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?

• Learn more about the history of Canasta.
  
• Read up about the origins of Gin Rummy (and the other Rummy games)
  
• Pick up some Canasta Caliente cards at C&C Game Headquarters.
  

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We'll be meeting at Bruegger's Bagel Bakery in Melrose. This location has nearly everything you could ask for in a location... space to play, free parking, food and drink, and not-too-crowded restrooms.

Melrose is easily accessible from Rt. 93, Rt. 1 and Rt. 28. Those taking public transportation can go to Oak Grove (at the end of the Orange Line) and take the 136 bus, which comes just before noon. This bus will drop you off in downtown Melrose right near the event location. Please contact me if you have any questions on the event or the location.