Marriage
Classic 21-card rummy with 3 decks, wildcards (Maal), pure sequences, and marriage bonuses.
How to play
2 to 5 players. 21 cards dealt from three 52-card decks (156 cards total).
A cut card designates the Tiplu (base joker). Poplu (rank+1), Jhiplu (rank-1), and Alter cards form the Maal.
You must form at least 3 Pure Sequences (or Tunnels) to open and see the Maal.
Once opened, wildcards can substitute in any of your remaining 3-card melds.
Arrange all 21 cards into 7 valid 3-card melds and discard your final card to declare Show and win.
About Marriage
Marriage is a legendary 21-card rummy game native to Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, played using three 52-card standard decks (156 cards) plus wildcards. Players are dealt 21 cards and must first construct three primary pure sequences or three-card identical-card tunnels to earn the right to "see the Maal" (view the opened wildcard). Viewing the Maal unlocks the active wildcards—the Tiplu, Poplus, Jhiplus, and Alter cards. The ultimate victory involves grouping all 21 cards into seven legitimate melds and declaring a Show, scoring massive bonuses for captured marriage sets and tunnel combinations.
Marriage at a glance
| Players | 2–5 players |
|---|---|
| Type | Table game: play online with friends, or with bots in any seat |
| Family | Rummy |
| Bot levels | Easy, medium and hard |
| Options | Rounds: 1 or 3 or 5 |
| Turn timer (online) | 45 seconds |
| Cost | Free, no download |
Tips for Marriage
- Prioritize completing your three pure sequences early so you can open the Maal and activate your wildcards.
- Keep track of duplicate cards: with three decks in play, identical pairs have high potential to become high-scoring tunnels.
- Holding a Marriage (Jhiplu, Tiplu, and Poplu of the same suit) yields massive bonus points upon a Show.
Questions about Marriage
How many people can play Marriage?
Marriage is played by between 2 and 5 players. Real players and bots can share a table, so a game can always start even if you do not have enough people.
Can I play Marriage against the computer?
Yes. Pick easy, medium or hard bots and start straight away. Bots only use what a player in their seat could see, so they cannot peek at your cards.
Can I play Marriage online with friends?
Yes. Create a private room and share its code, or join a quick match. If someone drops out mid-game, a bot takes over their seat.
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Compare Marriage
- Marriage vs Indian Rummy: Marriage vs Indian Rummy: 21 cards with the Tiplu and Maal against 13 cards and a wild joker. Compare these South…
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