The Complete History of Rummy: From Inception to Competitive Sport The card game rummy, which has enthralled players for centuries, has a lengthy history that dates back to the early 1800s. Although its exact origins are unkmpftsnown, some theories contend that it may have developed from earlier games like the Spanish game "Conquian" or the Chinese game "Dominoes.". A game that resembled modern rummy was first mentioned in writing in the United States in the 1900s, and it was played using a regular deck of cards. The game experienced multiple adaptations as it traveled across continents, giving rise to different variations such as Gin Rummy, Indian Rummy, and Kalooki.