How to Play Scala 40
Description
Forty points to open, and until you reach it you cannot lay down a thing.
Also known as: Rummy 40
Objective
Meld enough card value to open, then shed your whole hand before anyone else.
Setup
Two decks plus jokers. Deal thirteen cards to each player and turn one card to start the discard pile.
Rules
Draw from the stock or take the top discard, then discard one card to end your turn.
Your first meld must total at least forty points in card value — that's the scala the game is named for. Until you reach it, you cannot lay anything down.
Melds are sets of three or more of a rank in different suits, or runs of three or more in a single suit. Jokers and twos are wild.
Once you have opened, you can extend your own melds and other players' melds freely.
Winning
Go out by playing your last card, with a discard if required.
Everyone else scores penalty points for the cards left in hand, and play continues to an agreed limit.