Six Card Golf Strategy for Beginners
Good Six Card Golf strategy balances two goals: remove expensive cards and create matching vertical pairs. The best move is often the one that keeps both possibilities open.
Play Six Card Golf →Prioritize matching columns
A matching column turns two cards into zero points, even when both cards are high. Pairing two Queens removes 20 points at once, which is usually much stronger than replacing one Queen with a low card.
Keep track of which ranks already appear in your grid. A visible matching opportunity makes that rank especially valuable when it reaches the discard pile.
Use known information
Taking the discard gives you certainty. Drawing from the stock offers more possibilities but can leave you with an unusable card. Take a visible discard when it completes a pair or clearly improves a high-value position.
Watch what your opponent takes and rejects. If Finn passes on a 7, that can suggest the card does not help his visible grid. Your opponent's choices are imperfect clues, but they are still useful.
Manage the end of the hole
Turning over your final hidden card can trigger the last turn. Do not rush to finish simply because you can. Compare your visible score with your opponent's grid and consider whether one more improvement is worth the risk.
Late in a hole, certainty becomes more valuable. A modest guaranteed improvement from the discard pile can be better than gambling on the stock.
Common beginner mistakes
Do not break a completed pair just to replace one of its cards. Avoid focusing only on individual card values. Do not reveal every hidden card too quickly, and remember that a 2 is better than a King because it subtracts two points.
Common questions
Should I always take a 2?
A 2 is excellent at -2 points, but completing a high matching pair can save even more points.
Should I finish the hole as soon as possible?
Not always. Finish when your grid is strong or when ending the hole is more likely to hurt your opponent than you.
Is the discard pile usually better than the stock?
The discard pile is best when the visible card has a clear use. Draw from the stock when the discard does not improve your grid.