Here are some good strategies/tips to help improve Catch 21 scores:
- Always create a 21 when you have the chance to. Keeping as many open columns as possible reduces your chance of having to bust.
- The closer a pile gets to 21, the fewer the cards that can be played there. If all your piles are close to 21, you run the risk of having to bust.
- Remember that 16 of the 52 cards have a value of 10 (about 30% of all the cards) so try to create columns with 11 in them, which will combine with any 10 to form a 21.
- Group your low cards together, if you don't need them, to form Five Card Charlies, which give you the most points for a column-clearing. But don't go out of your way to make Five Card Charlies, or you'll deplete your supply of low cards that you need to clear those columns with 17, 18, or 19 points.
- There are only four aces and two Black Jacks; try to keep track of how many you've seen so far. If you can, loosely keeping track of all the cards will help you figure out when to burn and replace a card.
- Pay attention to missed opportunities because the Undo button can be used to revert the last play.
- You will find it easier to earn a Streaks or Combos if you are using Undo more often.
It's best to avoid busting but sometimes you will be forced to bust. When your columns start to fill up, start thinking about how to manage an impending bust.