You will find that the best results from readings are obtained when you read the cards as if they make up phrases or sentences. Let them tell you their story. Each card may combine with another card, just as adjectives and adverbs add meaning to bare nouns and verbs.
The basic unit in card reading is the pair. You can also see the two cards as being joined in a temporal progression, with one leading into the other as the first card moves forward in time.
For example, the Ace of Cups plus the Four of Swords speaks of problems in the home or with the family (home + problems = family problems). In other words, there is the home or family situation which is described as problematic. The first card is the premise or the basic idea, and the second card describes it and adds further information.
The order of combining the cards can make quite a difference to the meaning. Keeping in mind that the first card is the main idea, you can see that the Seven of Swords plus the Four of Clubs represent some form of sexual violence (strife + sex = sexual strife). In other words, there is strife or aggression which is described as sexual in nature.
However, the Four of Clubs plus the Seven of Swords represents sexual problems (sex + strife = sexual problems). In other words, there is sex which is described as problematic.
More examples include the Ace of Coins plus the Nine of Coins. This represents success, fame and good fortune. However, the Nine of Coins plus the Ace of Coins denotes a gambling win.
The Ace of Clubs plus the Seven of Clubs indicates success at work. The Seven of Clubs plus the Ace of Clubs reveals a new job.
The Seven of Swords plus the Ace of Swords means a separation. But the Ace of Swords plus the Seven of Swords reveals illness, accident or even a death.
Many new readers find this the most challenging aspect of card reading. But with practice, practice, and even more practice, certain combinations will start becoming more and more familiar to you.
As you gain more experience with card combinations, you will be able to start spotting some combinations of three cards that tell a story. For example, the Knight of Coins plus the Ace of Clubs and the Jack of Clubs announce a vacation overseas. The Knight of Coins plus the Ace of Clubs and the Eight of Clubs announce a vacation in the countryside. And the Knight of Clubs plus the Ace of Cups plus the Jack of Clubs shows a move of house overseas, or immigration.
A list of card combinations can be found in Card Combinations.