Compared to its predecessors, this version was intended to be more strategic & faster-paced in order to appeal to a wider audience. During the Great Depression, the game's popusatta.king .comlarity skyrocketed because it offered families an inexpensive source of entertainment. With its unique combination of skill, strategy, and social interaction, Rummy has remained a popular card game for decades, with millions of players worldwide. Instead of being a single game, rummy has many variations to suit a variety of tastes and ability levels.