Rummy’s The Name and Money’s The

Rummy’s the name and money’s the endgame!

By Jochebed Mendes

he season’s almost over,

Tthe pandemic seems never-ending and not everybody is okay with binge-watching movies or binge-eating over the weekend. So, spice up your life by adding an old traditional game of cards to it? It is true that the gaming industry has been soaring heights since a long time now, but the COVID-19 induced lockdown has increased the online gaming traffic. Rummy, a little less popular a few years back has surprised the market stats by the pace it has picked up.

Priya Kumar, the Director and Head of Content Strategy of Passion Gaming sheds light on rummy being recognised as a popular sport in today’s times as well as its progress amidst the global pandemic. Bobby Garg, the CEO & Co-founder of Passion Gaming then wraps up the interview with a little insight on keeping up with the losses during COVID-19.

What is your take on rummy as a game of skill?

Rummy has been a source of entertainment for many generations now. Today, online rummy is quickly gaining recognition

Priya Kumar

amongst the tech-savvy who are on the lookout for entertainment options with a competitive edge. It is like riding a roller-coaster in the virtual world with its up and downs (victories and losses).

How does it feel to take the seat at the tournament when hundreds are playing against you?

Every rummy game brings new challenges but competing in tournaments, tests on a different level altogether. I would say that there’s a lot of pressure even in a small-scale tourney, but it’s my passion for the game that fuels the desire to give my best and play with the same enthusiasm until the tourney ends.

Do you enjoy playing the game live or online? Is the line between the two situations thick or thin?

The 13-card game became available online two decades ago. Although, basic rules are the same, yet there’s a lot of difference in the experience of playing rummy online vs the traditional way. In online rummy, I have the luxury of playing at my convenience, and also play tournaments as frequently as I wish to, without worrying about being cheated in the game. Moreover, there are amazing cash rewards to be won, something that is not so common in playing rummy the traditional way.

Your say on Rummy would either excite the player to play more or cause doubts in the mind of a beginner?

If you are a true rummy lover, nothing can dampen your passion for the game. Every rummy player would agree to the fact that the game is immensely engrossing and offers unique opportunities for players to win cash rewards. The rules are simple and quite easy to learn. It is meant for everyone above the

age of 18, irrespective of education, age-group, or profession – just learn the rules, practice new strategies, and play responsibly to lay your hands on the cash rewards.

How would you differentiate rummy in India and on a global level?

In India, the 13-card Indian Rummy Game is highly preferred, while the west prefers Gin Rummy. Although, all these games employ the same basic principles, yet the level of craze for the game differs from one region to another. In India, the game is extremely popular in the Southern region. The subcontinent’s own version of the game, Indian Rummy has further variants and sub-variants too which the players here enjoy immensely.

Is rummy beginning to bloom in India?

People have now started recognising rummy as a game that can build up the players’ mental capabilities. Online rummy has made it much easier to participate in quick rounds during short breaks. A major reason why people love playing online rummy, especially at Rummy Passion, is the world-class rummy experience they get right in their pockets – the user-friendly gaming interface, innumerable promotions, cash rewards, and high-tech security.

Gaming companies’ revenue contributions was kind of a breather. Your comments?

There has been a decline in overall revenue collections because many brick and mortar businesses were severely hit during the pandemic. Gaming companies’ contribution in the form of taxes cushion the shock to our economy. They provide an

important service, especially in times when people get isolated. At the end of the day, gaming is a mental sport and contributes to the mental wellbeing of society giving a lasting impact on our economy.

Bobby Garg

Many companies have lost the connection to the source of their daily bread in order to keep functioning. Do you think forming new alliances with other gaming companies will help the industry to economically break free from the shackles of the pandemic?

Alliances do help to bring out the best by sharing of technology and people. Pooled resources often work for the benefit of all involved. Gaming in India is relatively new, and we are seeing a few new alliances come up. The evolution has just started, but we feel it is likely to happen irrespective of the pandemic. Really, it is only a function of how leaders wish to synergistically share their strengths.

As the CEO & Co-founder of Passion Gaming, how would you sketch out a plan for your company post the COVID-19 era?

You may be surprised to know that online gaming companies are heavily dependent on technology - not just to run the games but also to process payments, for data analytics and to conduct marketing activities among other things. This makes us very nimble, and we have been quick to adapt to the changing times. For us, work from home is relatively easier. Our team is a highly engaged one and our philosophy is to invest in our people with high emotional quotients. In rough times, we are lucky to have been able to provide flexibility, so team members could take care of their personal situations as and when they arose. We collectively helped each other with health care situations and pitched in with all sorts of assistance.

Post COVID-19 era poses new avenues for us. Our games are immersive, and we plan on adding new skill games to our portfolio very soon. We know our players find that exciting and we look forward to it.