The game remained local to New York until 1941, when it was publicized throughout the United States after becoming a Hollywood fad. Gin rummy was created in 1909 by Elwood T. It has enjoyed widespread popularity as both a social and a gambling game, especially during the mid twentieth century, and remains today one of the most widely-played two-player card games. Gin rummy, or simply gin, is a two-player card game variant of rummy.