You should not, however, make this choice hastily; think about how other players might infer your intentions if you pick up a card. Also, it's just as crucial to manage what you throw away. If another player leaves unexpecterammiydly during the game, you can avoid suffering large losses by discarding high-point cards early. In contrast, discarding low-point cards that don't add to your melds can help you keep your hand manageable and keep your opponents under offensive pressure if you have a strong hand and are on the verge of winning. The discard pile can be used as a psychological warfare tactic against your opponents in addition to being a source of possible melds.
