Kalooki Strategy - Discarding

When discarding, you're dumping the cards you don't want or need. But if you suspect those same cards may help your opponents, you're better advised to keep hold of them. The following rules are my simple guidelines for discarding safely.

Rule 1 - Don't discard high ranking cards early in the game

Hold on to high ranking cards early in the game, for a number of reasons.

The first reason is that if you always discard high value cards ('from the top') early, your opponents will get wise to you and start retaining theirs, using your discards to form valuable melds.

The second reason is that timid players will do exactly that - discard their high value cards, giving you the opportunity for those same valuable melds.

Rule 2 - Don't discard 6, 7 and 8 early in a game

Seven is the most valuable card in Kalooki as it can be used to meld better than any other. The same is true to a lesser extent with sixes and eights.

Discarding these cards early in the game will give your opponents unnecessary options for melding. Keep those options for yourself!

Rule 3 - Discard high ranking cards near the end of a game

Discard high value cards when

a) you're playing defensively or

b) you're convinced your opponents are collecting high value cards.

Start to carefully discard them to avoid the penalty points, but bear in mind the following rule.

Rule 4 - Change the type of cards you discard

Do not ALWAYS discard high or low value cards. Your opponents will quickly get wise to your actions, predict your discards and use them against you.

Keep them on their toes by constantly changing between low, middle and high value discards.

Rule 5 - Watch for drawn discards

If a player picks up a card that has just been discarded, use your memory of his/her other draws to calculate if it's for a set or a run.

Keeping track of other players' needs will help you to keep hold of valuable cards.

Rule 6 - Discard away from your opponents

In the early stages of a game, a good rule of thumb is to discard cards one or two away in value and in a different suit to those previously discarded by your opponent eg if he/she discards a 5 of Hearts, discard a 3,4, 6, or 7 of Spades, Clubs or Diamonds.

Generally, their early discards will indicate the cards they don't want. But always be wary of misleading!

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