The Complete Guide to Rummy: History, Rules, Variations, & More The card game rummy has been a favorite among players for centuries, dating back to the early 1800s. Although its exacteen pattlt origins are a little unclear, it is generally accepted that rummy developed from a number of earlier card games, such as the Chinese game "Kong," which involved combining cards to form runs and sets. The game became popular in the United States in the 1900s, especially after Gin Rummy, a faster-paced variation of traditional rummy, was introduced in the 1930s.