Progressive Gin

The May I? card game your family already plays, now on iPhone and iPad.

Also called Shanghai, Liverpool, Kalooki, or contract rummy.

Download on the App Store
  • Free
  • No ads
  • No internet needed

Rose says: Pull up a chair, dear. I'll deal you in.

Rose, the host: silver hair in a bun, gold reading glasses on a beaded chain, a turquoise necklace, and a deep red shawl.

How it plays

If you have played May I? at a kitchen table, you already know how. If not, here it is in twenty seconds.

Seven rounds. Each one asks for a little more.

  1. Round 1 Two groups 6 cards

  2. Round 2 A group and a run 7 cards

  3. Round 3 Two runs 8 cards

  4. Round 4 Three groups 9 cards

  5. Round 5 Two groups and a run 10 cards

  6. Round 6 A group and two runs 11 cards

  7. Round 7 Three runs 12 cards

A group is three or more cards of the same rank, like three 7s.

A run is four or more cards in a row, all one suit, like the 4, 5, 6 and 7 of hearts. Aces can go high or low.

Everyone gets 11 cards each round. Jokers are wild, and a meld can hold more than one, as long as one real card goes with them.

Buy the pile

When someone else is about to draw, you can buy the top card of the discard pile. Two hidden cards from the deck come with it. They might finish your hand. They might just be more to carry.

You can buy twice each round, unless your house rules say otherwise.

Try it. It is round 1, and you need two groups. You have three kings and a pair of 9s, and the 9 of hearts is on the pile.

A card table. Your hand holds the king of spades, king of hearts, king of diamonds, 9 of clubs, 9 of diamonds, 3 of spades, 6 of hearts and queen of clubs. The deck is face down, and the 9 of hearts is on top of the discard pile.

Lowest score wins

Go out by playing your last card onto a meld. Everyone else adds up the cards still in their hand. After seven rounds, the lowest total wins.

Meet the table

Rose deals, and six regulars fill the seats. Tell Rose your name and the whole table greets you by it.

  • Rose

    Silver hair in a bun, gold glasses on a beaded chain, a turquoise necklace, and a deep red shawl.

    Your host. She deals every hand and reads the table over her reading glasses.

  • Frank

    Bald with silver tufts, gold-rimmed glasses, a white moustache, and a gold bow tie on a navy sweater.

    Straightens his bow tie before every hand. He is still deciding whether to believe you.

  • June

    Copper hair in a soft bob, silver drop earrings, a long beaded necklace, and a bright blue shawl.

    Curious about everything. She never misses a trick.

  • Artie

    A navy flat cap, eyes crinkled with laughter, a big open smile, and a mustard sweater.

    Laughs with his eyes, and he laughs a lot, even when he is losing.

  • Pearl

    Silver curls, round gold glasses, pearl earrings, a lace collar, and a plum cardigan.

    Round gold glasses, a warm smile, and a lace collar she irons every Sunday.

  • Walt

    A white beard, bushy white eyebrows, a cream cable-knit cardigan, and a checked shirt.

    Says little and notices everything. His cardigan is older than some of the players.

  • Hazel

    A silver bob, round gold glasses, freckles, pearl earrings, a flower clip, and a rust cardigan.

    Wears a little flower clip in her hair. Ask her where it came from.

Free, and honest about it

The whole game is free. It never nags you for money, and it never grabs for your attention.

Always free

  • All seven rounds
  • Rose and all six regulars
  • Every house rule, and four ready-made tables
  • Nine felts and five card backs
  • Undo, your stats, and save and resume

Never

  • Ads
  • Coins, gems, or timers that make you wait
  • Subscriptions
  • Pop-ups asking for money
  • Accounts or tracking

Easy on the eyes

Big, clear cards. VoiceOver reads every card and button, text grows with Dynamic Type, and Reduce Motion turns movement into gentle fades. Suits always show their shape, so color is never the only clue.

Made by one person

Progressive Gin is made by Jason Page. His mom is the lead playtester. She asked for eleven-card hands and a way to buy the pile, the way her family plays, and both are in the game.

The Parlor, if you want it

Extra felts and card backs, and a way to rename the regulars. Frank says he doesn't mind. Everything there is a one-time purchase you keep, and your family can share it. Played before the game was free? Full Parlor is already yours.

Coming later: play with your own family online, from an iPhone, an Android phone, or a computer.

Rose says: Pull up a chair, dear.

Progressive Gin is available on the App Store