In other words, triplets (especially high ones, which give their owner no chance to convert his hand to a low one) on the deal is not a good hand in seven-card high-low, cards speak, and should generally be dropped on the first round. The great temptation to play this excellent high hand should be resisted.

Some players prefer to stay on triplets in the hope that they will "fill up" early and find themselves in a favorable position if several other players have good hands for low. However, when such a hand is played at the early stages, the holder must have enough discipline to drop out as soon as his chances of making a full house are the least bit diminished (as by other cards of the same rank as his odd cards appearing around the table).

This extreme example is an illustration of the basic strategy at cards speak: At the early stages, forget about high. Don't play unless you have a chance for low. As even three-of-a-kind is not an especially good hand, it is clear that playing on a high pair, or any collection of high cards, is the height of folly. The only hands with prospects for high that should be played are those which may later be converted into low hands.