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Discarding Tips

When to Take the Upcard --- Discarding Tips --- When to Knock --- Playing the Score or Keeping Under --- Reading the Discards

Some of you may be aware of the following tips others may not. When playing rummy keep in mind the Discarding tips & rules:

It is advisable to discard a card ranking one or two away and in a different suit from the one previously discarded by your opponent. Let us assume that your opponent discarded a 8 of clubs which is probably a bait card. Bait or no bait, your safest discard is either the 7 or 9 of diamonds, 7 or 9 of hearts, or 7 or 9 of spades, or the six or 10 in spades, hearts, or diamonds.

Your next best bet is to discard a card of rank equal to one that your opponent has previously discarded. There are only four possible ways in which an equal-rank card can be used against you. Any other card can be used six ways in a meld. That is, unless you're holding stoppers—cards that will prevent a discard from being used in a meld by your opponent. This may be precisely what your opponent wanted you to do. They may want your card of equal rank but in a different suit. All players use bait from time to time.

The average Rummy player will discard the highest unmatched card every time. They think that at least they are reducing as many points as possible, and insists that they are playing it safe and smart. If that is something you do, you need to rethink your habit as it is responsible for the loss of many a games that otherwise would have been won.

The only time it is advisable to discard the highest unmatched card is when playing to the score. Otherwise, pay no attention to the amount of points your discard will reduce your hand.

When playing defensively, try to discard the card that is least likely to help your opponent; when playing offensively, try to discard the card that is least useful to you.