Some games generate legends, but Rummikub started out as a legend! It was created in the 1930's by Ephraim Hertzano as a replacement for cards and card games after the Romanian authorities banned playing cards and outlawed all card games.

At first Mr Hertzano made the sets by hand and sold them door to door, and in small shops by consignment. It became quite popular and by 1977 was the best selling game in the USA. Rummikub has won several Game Of The Year awards: Germany in 1980, The Netherlands in 1983 and Poland in 1993.

Starting in 1991 there has been a World Championship held every three years, the field consisting of the various National Champions. The 11th Championship is due later this year.

1991: Masato Kuwabara (Japan)
1994: Nepad Zahran (Egypt)
1997: Peter Mentzig (The Netherlands)
2000: Carla van Perlo (The Netherlands)
2003: Masato Kuwabara (Japan)
2006: Jacqueline Beekman (The Netherlands)
2009: Andrea Papazissis (Brazil)
2012: Mathys Delvers (The Netherlands)
2015: Kozo Saito (Japan)
2018: Kohei Numajiri (Japan)