The Complete Guide to Rummy As a card game that has enthralled players for centuries, rummy has a long and diverse history that dates back to the early 1800s. Although its precise beginnings are still apps and gamesa little unclear, it is generally accepted that the game developed from earlier card games like the Mexican-originated Conquian. Conquian is frequently considered the forerunner of contemporary rummy due to its similar mechanics, which revolve around creating sets and melds. The game saw many changes as it traveled across borders, giving rise to the wide variety of rummy variations that exist today.