It's crucial to know when to take something from the discard pile because it can either finish a meld or throw off an opponent's plan. When your opponent discards a card that you need for a run or ssatta kinqet, for example, picking it up not only makes your hand stronger but also stops them from using it efficiently. Players must, on the other hand, exercise caution when discarding items. High-value cards or those that might aid an opponent in finishing their melds should not be discarded. Knowing which cards have been removed from the discard pile allows a shrewd player to modify their approach.