[2][3][4][5][6] The distinctive feature of 500 rum is that each player scores the value of the sets or cards they meld.

The term Michigan rummy may also refer to an unrelated game, very similar to the Canadian Rummoli (both sharing traits with the much older Poch), involving a playing board, chips, and accumulated pots that are awarded to players who play certain cards.

The remaining cards are placed in a single pile face down between the players, forming the stock.

The discard pile should be slightly spread, so that players can readily see all the cards in it.

In one variation, the discard pile is started by dealing one extra card face down to the player on the dealer's left, who can then choose any card from their hand to place face up besides the stock to start the discard pile.

One variation of the game requires that laying down a run can only be done starting with four or more cards of the same suit (e.g. 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠).

Going "around the corner" means that Ace is allowed to be both high and low in the same run (e.g. Q♠ K♠ A♠ 2♠).

Players are usually only permitted to lay down cards when it is their turn, after drawing but before discarding.

In a variation, players may put down melds or matching cards on other people's turns.

In another variation, a player may pick up only the top card from the discard pile and keep it in their hand without immediately playing it.

When any player discards the last card in their hand, the play immediately ends.

From this figure is subtracted the point value of all cards remaining in his hand.

These additional or alternate rules have been put in to simplify scoring and speed up games.

Point variants for Aces change the game dynamic somewhat as players may be more or less likely to reveal and play them as a part of runs.

Also, if the stock is finished then players may continue to draw from the pile only so long as they are able and willing to do so.

If nobody has gone out when the stock is depleted (see Boathouse rule): This again, is meant to speed up the game.

After shuffling and dealing that joker is placed face-up at the side of the pack closest to the dealer.

After dealing but before any of the players look at their cards the dealer must nominate the effect of the jokers for that hand.

Each joker nomination may be used strategically by the dealer to improve their position or undermine that of other players.

The rules are exactly as in 500 rum, except the partners may play off on each other's matched sets and sequences in an effort to go out as quickly as possible.

When any player goes out, the play ends and the score of each partnership is figured as a unit.

They may not combine it with cards in their hand to create a new match set or sequence.