Meld (cards) such as Pinochle and Bezique. Meld (cards) In card games, a meld is a set of matching cards, typically three or more, that earn a player points and/or allow him to deplete his hand. Melds typically come in sequences of ascending cards belonging to the same suit known as "runs" () or "sets/groups" of cards of identical rank (). Other ones may be "marriage" (e.g. K and Q) and "bezique" (Q and J). Melding is typical in games of the Rummy family, such as Canasta and Gin. It is also used in other games such as mahjong. Melds are also
Russian playing cards usually ignored. In spite of many attempts by the Russian government to restrict card games, many Russians, especially the Russian nobility, played cards in a significant scale during the 18th century. Before the 19th century practically all playing cards were imported from Western and Central Europe, and since 1765 all imported cards had to be stamped and the high import duty had to be paid (that was supposed to limit card gaming). However, in 1819 the restrictions were lifted, but at the same time the import of playing cards was also forbidden and the state monopoly was created. The production