Computer Gin


Electronic Gin Rummy Game

Gin Rummy is a game for two players. With this 1980c Mattel game, which was purchased by the Museum in 1982, you are one player, and the hand held computer is the other player.

The beige and black plastic case is 18.8cm long x 8.5cm wide x 2.8cm high. There are 6 keys on the surface - marked "Score", "Draw", "Select Card", "Discard", "Deal", and "Comp Hand". In the rear of the case a back plate holds a 9volt battery.



How to play the game

Playing requires a knowledge of the game of Gin Rummy, a two person playing card game. Etched into a liquid crystal display screen on the surface of the case is a standard International deck of 52 playing cards. When the "Deal" button is pressed, eleven cards at random are lit on the screen, one of which is flashing. A player indicates the selection of that card by pressing the "Select Card" button, or requests a different card by pressing the "Draw" button. The computer is the player's opponent.

When the player has been dealt a complete hand, the player then presses and holds the "Select Card" button. Each card on the screen flashes one at a time. If the player wants to "play" the flashing card, the "Discard" button is pressed. On the upper left of the screen, the computer will then highlight the word "thanks" if it wants the discard. The computer will highlight "no thanks" if it intends to draw another card from the deck.

Play continues until either the player or the computer has "Gin" or "knocks" The latter process occurs when the player or the computer has 10 or less points. A process for "melding" on to a knocked hand is included. This occurs when the loser (human or computer) holds cards that match the hand that has "knocked".


NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on April 6, 1998. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update: June 8, 2010