The goal of the game, which uses a standard 52-card deck, is to create legitimate card combinations, or melds. Playthrough and Melds. Runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) or scats slotsets (three or four cards of the same rank) can make up a meld. As they watch their opponent's moves, players alternately draw cards from the discard or stockpile in an effort to strengthen their hands. Gin Rummy is distinguished by its scoring system, which incentivizes players to go "gin"—that is, to obtain a hand devoid of deadwood, or unmatched cards, before their opponent can meld.
