According to the game rules, after the nine cards are placed face down in a 3x3 square, each player turns over, or reveals, any two of the cards. Which two cards are best to reveal? That depends upon the sequence of deals. If working on columns, open up two cards in any one column, then at your turn complete that column so you see what cards are there.

When should I start taking from the deck or discard pile? Any time is fine, but it helps to know what some, or most, of the cards on the square are. If a card on the discard pile helps to make a set, be sure to pick it up.

If I turn over a wild card on the square what other cards should be opened after that? If that happens before too many other cards are revealed, be sure to open all nearby cards around the wild card to know what set possibilities there may be.

What is the best place to put a wild card that one picks up from the deck? If not many cards are turned over when that choice happens, the center space is probably the best place, but when many cards are revealed, the choice will depend upon the cards seen and which cards have already been discarded to determine which set is more likely to be made.

Which card should I choose to leave face down until the end of the hand? You will have to see how your hand plays out to determine that strategy. Whatever the location turns out to be, try to reduce the point value of cards near that final card that cannot make a set.

Of what value is the “insert” feature? If the insert option helps to make more than one set, use it. If not, do not use it. Inserts are most helpful when a player does not have a wild card. Example: if a diagonal set of dolphins is made on the square and two other matching cards - say eagles - are situated at the other corners of a second diagonal, the dolphin cards are removed to make room (an insert) for a third eagle, if one should be available prior to the end of that hand. If it appears that another player is positioned to be “going out,” it may be wise to reduce the points rather than wait to complete that set. That is the risk one takes.

When should a player consider “going out”? A player must have at least one set created and possibly a second set since the point value of those cards do not count in the score for that hand AND the other cards not in sets should have a lower point value than any other player. See directions for details.

More tips coming soon!