A certain number of cards—typically seven or ten, depending on the number of players—are dealt to each player at the start of the game. One face-up card initiates the discard pile, while the remaining cards forludo goldm a draw pile. Players alternately draw cards from the discard or draw piles in an effort to create legitimate runs or sets. Three or four cards of the same rank but different suits make up a valid set, whereas three or more consecutive cards of the same suit make up a run. Depending on which cards have the ability to form melds, players must carefully manage their hands, choosing which to keep and which to discard.