Canasta
The Classic Rummy-Style Partnership Game
What is Canasta?
Canasta is a rummy-style card game that became hugely popular in the 1950s. Partners work together to form melds (groups of same-rank cards) and complete canastas - melds of 7 or more cards that earn big bonus points!
What makes Canasta exciting is the discard pile mechanics - you can pick up the entire pile if you can use the top card!
108 cards: Two standard 52-card decks + 4 Jokers
Wild Cards: Jokers and 2s can substitute for any card
Red 3s: Special bonus cards (not used in melds)
Black 3s: Block the discard pile
Setup & Deal
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Form Two TeamsPartners sit across from each other. You share melds and score as a team.
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Deal 11 Cards EachDeal 11 cards to each player one at a time.
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Create Stock & DiscardPlace remaining cards face-down as the stock. Turn over the top card to start the discard pile.
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Red 3s OutIf dealt any red 3s, place them face-up in front of you and draw replacements. Red 3s drawn later are also placed immediately.
If the first upcard is a wild card (2 or Joker) or red 3, turn another card. Wild cards/red 3s "freeze" the pile (see later).
Taking Your Turn
Each turn: Draw → Meld (optional) → Discard
Drawing Cards
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Option 1: Draw from StockDraw the top 2 cards from the stock pile.
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Option 2: Take the Discard PileTake the ENTIRE discard pile IF:
- You have 2 natural cards matching the top card in hand, OR
- You can add the top card to an existing meld on the table
Getting the discard pile is HUGE - it can give you dozens of cards! Build your hand to grab it when it's big.
Making Melds
A meld is 3 or more cards of the same rank. Lay them face-up on the table.
Meld Rules
- Must have at least 2 natural (non-wild) cards
- Can have at most 3 wild cards
- Cannot meld 3s (special cards)
- Partners share all melds - you can add to each other's!
Initial Meld Requirement
Your team's FIRST meld must meet a minimum point value based on your score:
Canastas
A canasta is a meld of 7 or more cards - the heart of the game!
Stack completed canastas in a pile - put a red card on top for natural, black card on top for mixed.
Your team MUST complete at least one canasta before anyone can "go out" and end the round!
Frozen Pile
The discard pile becomes "frozen" when:
- A wild card (2 or Joker) is discarded
- A red 3 starts the pile
- Your team hasn't made their initial meld yet
When frozen, you can ONLY take the pile with 2 natural cards from your hand matching the top card (cannot use existing melds).
Discarding a wild card freezes the pile for EVERYONE. Do this when opponents are about to grab a big pile!
Going Out
To "go out" and end the round:
- Your team must have at least one canasta
- Meld all your remaining cards (may keep one for final discard)
- You may ask partner "May I go out?" before doing so
Card Point Values
Bonus Points
If your team has NO melds when the round ends, Red 3s count AGAINST you instead of for you!
Calculating Round Score
Example Round Score
Discard Pile Strategy
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Build to Take the PileHold pairs of natural cards - they let you take the discard pile! Getting a big pile is often game-changing.
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Watch What's DiscardedSafe discards are cards that have already been discarded - opponents likely don't have pairs of them.
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Freeze When NecessaryIf the pile is huge and opponents might take it, discard a wild card to freeze it!
Canasta games are often won or lost based on who captures the big discard piles. Play to get them!
Melding Strategy
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Save Wilds for CanastasDon't waste wild cards on small melds. Use them to complete canastas (but try to keep them natural if possible!).
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Coordinate with PartnerDon't start new melds of ranks partner is collecting - add to their melds instead!
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Don't Rush to MeldWait to meld if you're under the initial requirement - keeping cards gives you more options to take the pile.
Common Mistakes
Never discard cards that match your own melds - opponents can use them to take the pile and add to THEIR melds!
Don't rush to go out if partner has lots of cards - those count AGAINST you! Make sure partner is ready.
Wild cards are precious! Don't use them to start 3-card melds - save them for completing canastas.
Popular Variations
Play with just 2 players:
- Deal 15 cards each
- Draw 2, discard 1 each turn
- Need 2 canastas to go out
- Same scoring otherwise
"Cutthroat" individual play:
- 13 cards each
- Each player for themselves
- 2 canastas required to go out
- First to 7,500 points wins
Popular variation with two hands:
- Each player has a "hand" and a "foot" (13 cards each)
- After playing through hand, pick up foot
- Usually uses 4-6 decks
- Requires multiple canastas to go out
More competitive version:
- Stricter initial meld requirements
- Taking the pile requires more restrictions
- Wild card canastas allowed (1000 bonus!)
- Need specific canasta types to go out
Extended version with sequences:
- Uses 3 decks (162 cards)
- Deal 15 cards each
- Allows sequence melds (same suit runs)
- 7-card sequence = "samba" (1500 bonus)