How do rummy games use melds to score or go out?

In rummy games, a meld is a combination of three or more cards of the same rank (a set) or three or more cards of the same suit in sequence. These combinations are central to both scoring and the objective of "going out."

Using Melds to Score

The role of melds in scoring depends on the type of game:
* Positive Games: Melds carry plus scores. The primary goal is to form as many melds as possible to maximize your score before ending the hand.1
* Negative Games: Melds themselves do not score points. Instead, the goal is to "go out" as quickly as possible to avoid being penalized for the value of any "deadwood" (unmelded cards) remaining in your hand.1

Using Melds to Go Out

"Going out" occurs when a player successfully plays the last card from their hand. This can be achieved by:
* Melding: Creating a new set or sequence using the final card.1
* Laying Off: Adding the final card to an existing meld already on the table.1
* Discarding: Playing the final card faceup to the wastepile.1

In more complex variants like canasta, players must meet specific requirements—such as completing at least one "canasta" (a meld of seven or more cards)—before they are legally permitted to go out.2