Section 5: Scoring & Winning
Ordinary Knock
After legal layoffs, total each player's deadwood. If the knocker's total is lower, the knocker scores the difference between the two totals.
Example: Avery knocks with 7 points of deadwood. After laying off one card, Blake has 18 points of deadwood. Avery scores 11 points.
Gin
If a player declares gin, that player scores a 25-point gin bonus plus the full value of the opponent's deadwood. The opponent may not lay off cards when gin has been declared.
Example: Casey goes gin and Drew has 32 points of unmatched cards. Casey scores 57 points: 25 for gin plus 32 for Drew's deadwood.
Undercut
If the defender's deadwood is equal to or lower than the knocker's after all legal layoffs, the defender undercuts the knocker. The defender scores a 25-point undercut bonus plus the difference between the two deadwood totals.
Example: Morgan knocks with 8 deadwood, but Riley reduces their hand to 5 deadwood after laying off. Riley scores 28 points: the 25-point bonus plus the 3-point difference. If both players have 8 deadwood, the defender scores the 25-point bonus with no additional difference.
Winning the Game
Keep a running total after each scored hand. The first player to reach or exceed 100 points wins the game. A hand is completed and fully scored even if its points carry the winner beyond 100.
Optional Match Bonuses
Some groups use traditional end-of-game bonuses. These are not needed for a simple recreational game and should be agreed before the first deal. A common system adds 100 points to the game winner, adds a further 100-point shutout bonus if the opponent scored no points, and awards each player 25 points for every hand they won. These bonuses determine the final margin but do not change who first won the game by reaching the target.
Score Disputes
Both players should verify melds, layoffs, and deadwood before the cards are gathered. Correct any arithmetic error as soon as it is noticed. Once the next hand has been dealt, an agreed score normally stands unless both players can reconstruct and confirm the mistake.