Canasta is a wonderful
game of cards. It can be played by 3 or 4 persons.
The rules may differ
from county to county, but here are the rules we use. Have a good time!
The game is played with two packs of cards including all jokers. If there are 4 players, two and two are partners. Partners may not be seated next to each other.
When 4 players, 11 cards are given to each player, the rest of the cards are placed in the middle of the table and one card is turned up. If the dealer can take up exactly as many cards as are necessary, either with or without a card to be turned up, he will get 100 points.
Now you collect identical cards. When you have 7 identical cards, you have a Canasta. It may be red, i.e. without jokers, or black, with jokers. A red Canasta gives 700 points, a black one 500.
You cannot take the pile until you have opened up. To open up you must have 50 points to put down on the table. until you have 1500 points (counted after the round), then 90 until 3000 points, then 120. There must always be more "true" cards than jokers in what you lay down on the table. The game must go one round before cards can be laid down.
To take the pile you
must hold one card matching the upper card in the pile and you must be
able to lay down on the table with this card. If the pile is blocked,
you must hold 2 cards matching the upper card in the pile to take the pile.
You can block the
pile by putting a joker across.
You cannot close the
round before you have a Canasta, either black or red. If one of the teams
closes the game, the cards which the opponent holds shall be subtracted.
What he has laid down on the table, shall be added.
Red 3's count 200
points and allow you to draw a new card (at dealing).
Black 3's laid down
on the pile prevent the next player from taking the pile. Black 3's do
not give points, neither positive nor negative, (but are good to hold to
block the pile). It is a big advantage to be able to take the pile, especially
if it is big, it offers many possibilities to lay down and get many points.
Jokers count 50 points.
2's are also jokers,
but only count 20 points.
Aces count 20 points.
Court-cards and 8's,
9's and 10's count 10 points.
The rest of the cards
count 5 points except the 3's which do not count at all.
When a round is over, the points are counted and registered. By summing up you first count the points for the Canastas, then for the cards, including the cards in the Canastas. Then you deal new cards. You go on playing as long as you choose or to an agreed amount of points.