In order to avoid losing points if your opponent declares before you, try to focus on creating pure sequences as soon as possible in the game. 2. . Watch what your opponents are doing: You can infer what sets and sequences your opponents are attgameexchange 567empting to form by observing the cards they discard and choose. By doing so, you can lessen the possibility that you will aid your opponents in completing their melds by strategically discarding cards. No 3. Jokers are a useful tool to have in your deck when completing melds because they can be used to replace any missing card in a set or sequence. If your opponent declares before you, it's crucial to remember that using an excessive number of jokers can result in higher points. 4. .