Terms used in the Game of Gin Rummy
Deadwood
The unmelded cards in a hand are referred to as deadwood. The point value of these cards are used in scoring when your opponent knocks or goes Gin.
Knock
This signals the end of a hand of Gin. In some versions of the game, players have to have 10 or less in deadwood in their hand to knock. In Oklahoma Gin, the knock value is determined by the first upcard.
When a player knocks, their deadwood is compared to their opponent's deadwood count. From that comparison, points are earned on the scorecard.
Undercut
When player knocks, and their opponent actually has the same amount or less deadwood in their hand than the knocking player, the opponent is said to Undercut them. Undercutting earns bonus points (the amount of which may vary from game to game).
Set
A series of three or four cards of the same rank.
Sequence
A series of three or more cards, of the same suit, in rank order. An example would be the 4-5-6 of clubs. This is also called a Run.
Meld
A term for placing cards into either sets or runs. For example, the deadwood cards are often referred to as "unmelded" cards.
Gin
Going Gin is to have zero points of deadwood in your hand. All of the ten cards in your hand are melded into sets or runs.
Laying Off
Once a player knocks, they place their cards face up on the table. Their opponent can inspect their hand, and see if any of their deadwood would fit into any melds of the knocker's hand. If they have cards that would fit, they can then discard them from their own hand, "laying them off".
An example is if you knock and display three Jacks as a part of your hand. I'm holding the fourth Jack when you knock. I can then "lay off" my Jack since it would fit into your set of Jacks. By laying it off, I remove the Jack from my deadwood and reduce my point count.
Whitewash
This is one of the terms used for instances where a player is held scoreless in a Gin match. They are said to have been whitewashed in the game.
Schneider
This term means the same as "whitewash". If a player is held scoreless in a Gin match, they are said to have been "schneidered".
Draw Game
In Gin, once there are 2 cards remaining in the stock pile, the game is over. It has come to a draw. The stock pile is not reshuffled and replaced, the hand has ended in a tie.