
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,515
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Fairy Tale
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2004

2005
Rules assistance for Phantom Rummy
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Phantom Rummy is a board game released in 2005 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Satoshi Nakamura and its main mechanics are Set Collection.
Phantom Rummy is a version of Mahjong, with some elements from Western Rummy card games. Players try to form hands of a pair and two three-card sets to go out. Different hands score different points and whoever has the most points after six or eight hands wins the game. The advanced rules add "conditions" to certain cards. These conditions award players extra points, if the condition is met (for example, player has cards numbered 1 or 7 in his hand).
Phantom Rummy supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Phantom Rummy is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Phantom Rummy for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Phantom Rummy has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Phantom Rummy belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Phantom Rummy are: Satoshi Nakamura. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Phantom Rummy as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.