The Definitive Guide to Rummy The card game rummy, which has been played for centuries, has a long and diverse history that dates back to the early 1800s. Although the game's precise beginnings are still a little unclear, it isnew yono games generally accepted that it developed from earlier card games like the Mexican-originated Conquian. Due to its similar card-melding mechanics for sets and runs, Conquian is frequently cited as the forerunner of modern rummy. Numerous modifications were made to the game as it traveled across borders, resulting in the varied family of rummy games that exist today. Rummy arrived in the United States by the late 1800s & quickly became very popular there.