Rummy had become deeply ingrained in American culture by the late 19th century, which prompted the creation of numerous regional variations. A major factor in the game's popularity was the variety of rules and variations that were frequentlfree to play slotsy used. As more structured gameplay became possible with the introduction of the standard 52-card deck, Rummy quickly came to be associated with a number of games that required making runs and sets. Because of its simplicity and versatility, the game was played by players of all ages & skill levels, guaranteeing its place in the canon of traditional card games. With its own distinct set of rules and gameplay mechanics, Rummy continued to develop into a variety of variations.