Nowadays we see the popularity of rummy games constantly increasing and Okey is one of those that are enjoying really fast increases and player numbers. Although you will mainly see it played in Turkish communities, Europeans are also very fond of this game. Most of the games are to see four players involved in a hand but you can also play it in 2 or 3. We can say that Okey rules are really similar with Rummikub rules due to the fact that we are faced with the same exact boards and tiles being used, although rules are a little different. We know that Okey derived from Rummikub, in most probability due to a Germanic influence.

The good news for all that are thinking about learning to play okey is the fact that the important game rules and okey strategy are really easy to memorize. Probably the most important rule you need to be aware of at all times is linked with the joker. If you have it you should show it right before the game starts in order to gain 1 point and have all the other players involved in the game lose 1 point. Okey rules state that the game is played anticlockwise and will last till we have a winning hand. When one makes a hand the game is over, scores are calculated and we move towards the following game. Also, all the tiles that you discarded have to be properly arranged in a neat stack with just the last tile being visible. The player can look in his own discarded tiles and in those of the player to his left.

Okey brings in the need to score sets and runs. You will hold a set when 3 or 4 tiles will have the same number but the colors are different. Runs are series of consecutive tiles, all having the same colors but arranged in a consecutive order. Keep in mind that tile 1 can just be used as the lowest or the highest in one run but not both in the same run.

Winning hands are made out of either 14 tiles holding just sets and runs or 14 tiles that contain 7 pairs. Every pair has to be of the same value and color. The false joker is used as any card in the game.