Gin Rummy Classic•

I’ve really enjoyed this game… right up until the latest version came out recently and replaced the previous version. This is one of the best Gin Rummy apps I’ve ever downloaded on the App Store. I’ve tried about 15 so far and this one suits me best. The graphics are nice. It’s fairly “clean” looking without too much pomp and circumstance. Play and average win/loss ratio seems fair, possibly even bent in the player’s favor. In the previous version, my complaint was that SO many ads were deceptive and had NO way to exit them… even after letting one play for 5+ minutes. Now that the app has been “updated,” there are ads after EVERY round. Not just every game. I mean every round. And of course these are the same ads I reported as broken, misleading, and impossible to exit. Now I’m flooded with ads. Banner ads and video ads that hold you hostage. I’m aware there is a paid version that will (as far as I know) remove ads. I’m sorry, but $5/month just to make a game playable is too steep for me. ESPECIALLY when EVERYONE wants you to pay monthly for whatever they’re offering. I wish more devs would understand that there is FIERCE competition for dollars—everything from game apps to news sources, to podcasts, streaming, grocery shopping & delivery, and more. If the cost of ad removal was more reasonable, I’d go for it. But not $5/month. Because of the ads, I won’t keep this app long. But it was nice prior to the ad bombardment.

It’s rare that people write positive reviews because we usually jump here to post our grievances. I came because I just noticed I have a 27 day streak and I cannot say anything bad about this game. Paid advertising keeps it free, they don’t upset me. It’s challenging and I like that I don’t win all the time. When I do win it feels well deserved. It’s certainly making me a better player. I have a lot of moments in my day where I need something quick to do to keep myself from going in my mind too much. This game has not made me be tired of it once. It’s a great exercise for my mind and very rewarding somehow though you’re not going to win like an actual prize or anything. I am grateful that this game is about as perfect as I can expect an app to be and just wanted to say, BRAVO!!!

Update: I received a response from the developer, which I don’t know if it will still be included at the end of this post. I guess I hit a nerve with the developer because the first line in their response back to me was condescending. I guess I shouldn’t expect an “absolutely perfect experience” for a free app. Many people have written similar things perhaps my comment on “not having a robust algorithm” didn’t sit well. Regardless, I have mentioned what I don’t like about it and those should be taken as improvements needed. Original post: I agree with other reviewers that the game seems unbalanced in the win ratio the higher you go. Some have alluded to it being to get more ads in, but I just think it’s the developers not having a robust enough algorithm to keep track of cards played. There are times where you are not shown the winning hand or the losing hand of the computers just a score. There are also times I feel the same card has been drawn and discarded from the deck. I also don’t like that the game will suggest your discards or pressure you into passing or drawing a card if you take to long to make a decision. I feel if you don’t take the advice the next card drawn or played is on path to you losing. Still play the game in hopes that it will get better and it does keep your mind active though at times frustrated.