Melding strategy - the right way to meld

Rule 1 - meld in sets rather than runs

As a general rule, try to meld in sets rather than runs. The reason is simple - a three card set can only be extended once by your opponents, a three card run can be extended many times. By placing down sets, you're giving your opponents fewer chances to get rid of their cards.

A set of three Jacks can only be extended by the fourth Jack. A run of 4,5,6 can be extended by the three or the seven, then by the 2 and the eight etc.

The same applies to adding to melds on the table. If you have a card that could complete a set OR add to a run, ALWAYS add to the set.

Rule 2 - lay down as many cards as you can at one time

Another rule is to always meld as many cards as possible at one time ie if you have 3,4,5,6,7,8,10 don't put down 4,5,6,7 and keep the 8 hoping for a 9. Get down the 3 - 8 and discard the 10.

Rule 3 - Score as soon as possible

Similar to the last rule is the rule that you should always score as soon as possible. The temptation to go Kalooki is sometimes very strong, but you should lay down cards as soon as you've reached the scoring point ie 40 or 51.