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Strategies index
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When drawing your first card, it is best to draw from the stock pile rather than the discard pile. This will make it difficult for your opponents to keep track of the cards in your hand. In addition, if your opponents do not show interest in the top card of the discard pile, your rummy opponents may not need it. When discarding a card your priorities should be the following:
(*) To determine what cards are of no use to your opponents, note which cards they are discarding. Discard high unmelded cards rather than low cards.
Manage your cards in such a way as to not reveal your holdings. For example, when drawing for the stock pile, place the card at random in your hand, then close your hand then open your hand and only then select a card to discard. This prevents opponents from knowing how many cards you have saved from the stock. Mid-value cards are more strategically important than low or face cards because they can be use for more run combinations. The 7 is the most valuable as it can be used in more combinations of longer runs than any other card in the deck. An ace can be used in only one 3 card run, A,2,3. A 4 can be used in the following 3 card runs: 2,3,4 and 3,4,5 and 4,5,6. The following chart shows the possible 3 card runs that can be formed for all the cards in a deck. The left column shows the number of 3 card runs for the indicated card.
Generally it is not desirable to hold onto higher cards but at the beginning of the game you may be able to take advantage of opponents discarding high cards and allow you to make large deadewood reductions. Keep in mind that holding onto unmatched high cards for too long a time is very dangerous.
Constantly discarding high cards in a habitual manner will soon teach your opponents to save their high cards. It is good practice to vary the cards you discard so that your actions are less predictable. Get your melds on the table as soon as possible. Face cards are a danger for high deadwood. Meld face cards or discard them as soon as possible. Try to meld 4 card sets rather than consecutive runs. This prevents opponents from laying off their unmatched cards at the end of the round. Four card set: If you have a hand with: Visualizing the cards in a triangle makes it easier to understand the concept.
If you have done well in previous rounds and achieved a significant advantage over your opponents, it is prudent not to take risks and try to maintain your current score advantage. You can risk discarding a valued card in the hopes that your opponent will discard one of the same rank. For example, you need the 6 Don't pick up every discarded card that matches anything in your hand. Many people pick up any card that they think are useful to increase there options. Don't give away any information with facial expressions or body language. If you draw a great card or totally useless one, your expression should be the same... a poker face.
Do not play too quickly or too slow. Just maintain the same pace thoughout the entire game. Playing with the same speed will not offer your opponents a clue as to what you are thinking or feel. Reading your opponents body language, expression, gestures can often give you information about what he is thinking. One of the most important things to advance your chances of winning is remember the cards that have been discarded. This may sound difficult but the majority of hands only last a couple of draws by each player. Remembering the discarded cards will help you play your hand correctly.
Tidying up the discard pile is another way of cheating. The cheating player may lift the discard pile while straightening it and note the cards within the pile. Laying down false spreads. If the winning player does not examine them closely the cheater can discount dead wood penalty points. The false spreads can be incomplete or they may be groups of 2, 3, 8 or 9 with an imposter card of another set in the middle. These cards look the same at a quick glance. The 51 card deck trick is when a deck of cards is removed from the box, one card is left behind. If the card is known by the perpetrator, it is a great advantage. For example if the card is a 4 |
One of the most important aspects of successful rummy play is constant vigilance... just like a Suricate. Observe and try to remember which cards your opponents are drawing from the discard pile and the cards they are discarding.
you have a better chance of forming a meld in the future. With the 4
and 4
, you are on your way to forming a set. With the 4
to make a diamond run. By discarding a 6
One method of cheating is drawing or discarding two cards at a time. This doubles the cheaters chances of winning as he can choose which card suits him best and discards two cards which he does not need. If you are suspicious of a player, count the cards in his hand now and then.
Copyright © OnlineRummyRules.com – Revised May 18, 2010
