The Complete Guide to Rummy: Background, Strategy, and Expertise The card game rummy, which has enthralled players for centuries, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 1800s. The precise origins of Rumrammy allmy are still a little unclear, but it is generally accepted that it developed from earlier card games like the Mexican-originated Conquian. Conquian is sometimes considered the forerunner of contemporary rummy because it shares many of the same mechanics, which are based on creating sets and melds. The game experienced many modifications as it traveled across borders, giving rise to the wide variety of Rummy variants that are available today.