Kalookie Strategy
Kalookie, even with all the variations, is still a very strategic game. When you first start out you may see it as luck of the draw, which means you just assume whatever cards you get define how you will do in the game. Although that is true to some extent there are some very strategic moves that you can make in Kalookie that will allow you to win more consistently.
Since the deck either has 106 or 108 cards, depending on which version you are playing, you have to keep in mind that you are essentially going to get twice as many cards as you normally would. This plays an important part of the game, because you have to remember twice as many cards as well. Remembering cards is important because you need to be able to remember when you say which discard and if you need it again. It is hard, but this is where experience comes into play. Try to keep an eye on each discard and what your opponent’s are melding, so that when you need a card you know whether or not it has been played or whether it is in the discard pile waiting for you.
The number one strategy in Kalookie is drawing the right cards. This is what really is going to affect the outcome of the game. You want to keep in mind that it is advisable to pick a card from the stock pile in the beginning of the game, rather than the discard pile so that your opponent’s will find it difficult to keep up with what cards you have in your hand. The less they know about what you are holding, the more likely they are to give you the cards that you need. Also, since they are on the lookout for what they need as well, by picking up from the stock pile, you may be preventing them from forming melds of their own, since they are also looking at the discard pile to see what they may or may not get.
Discarding is also very important. Your first priority in discarding should be to get rid of the cards that you are not going to be able to use to meld later on, but you also need to keep in mind that you do not want to throw away cards that your opponent can use later on. This is where the memory comes in handy. If you have seen your opponent picking up certain cards from the discard pile, then you want to avoid discarding cards that could possibly help him meld and or call Kalookie. You need to be alert to the cards you are throwing and what he is picking up at all times. Also, you want to make sure you use all the cards you can to build onto other sets or runs. Do not inadvertently discard something that can be used to build on your opponent’s runs or sets, otherwise they can pick it up and possibly go out.
Finally you want to look at the advantage of going Kalookie. This means to put your cards all down in one play rather than melding gradually. The fact that you get extra points for this is the first advantage, but also, it leaves them with more cards in their hand because they have nothing to build upon if you do not put your cards down. However, if all the players have laid down melds, you should not consider waiting for a Kalookie because it is too much of a risk. You are better off melding gradually at the same time to avoid having too many points left in your hand.