Play Canasta Online
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Canasta is a much-loved partnership rummy game. Work with your partner to meld cards of the same rank, use jokers and twos as wild cards, and build canastas of seven cards for big bonuses. Long, relaxing games make it a favorite for an evening of cards.
- Players
- You and a computer partner vs 2 computer players
- Cards
- Two decks plus four jokers (108 cards)
- Game length
- 45–60 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
How to play Canasta
- Four players play in two teams, using two decks with four jokers. Each player gets 11 cards.
- On your turn, draw one card from the stock or take the whole discard pile if you can meld its top card, then discard.
- Meld three or more cards of the same rank. Jokers and twos are wild.
- A meld of seven cards is a canasta. A natural canasta has no wild cards and scores more.
- Your team needs at least one canasta to go out. The game is played to 5,000 points.
How to win at Canasta: strategy and tips
Canasta is played in teams. Big scores come from canastas (melds of seven cards) and from taking a large discard pile. Patience usually beats rushing to go out.
Make your first meld count
Your team's first meld must reach a minimum that grows with your score: 50 points below 1,500, then 90, and 120 from 3,000. Jokers (50), aces (50) and twos (20) help you reach it. Do not spend all your wild cards on it, because you will want them for canastas later.
Take the pile when it is worth it
A large discard pile can win the hand on its own. Keep pairs in your hand so you can take the pile when a matching card is thrown. Before taking a small pile, ask whether the cards help your melds.
Build towards canastas
A natural canasta (no wild cards) scores 500 and a mixed one 300. Concentrate on a few ranks where your team already has cards instead of starting many small melds. Your team needs at least one canasta before anyone can go out.
Choose discards carefully
Throw cards the opponents cannot use, such as ranks they have not melded and ranks with many cards already played. A black three blocks the next player from taking the pile, and a discarded wild card freezes the pile for everyone.
Go out at the right time
Going out scores 100 and ends the hand. Go out when the opponents are holding many points in their hands, or when your team is ahead. If you can still finish another canasta, waiting a few turns can be worth much more.
Mistakes to avoid
- Melding all your cards early, which leaves you no pairs to take the pile.
- Forgetting that red threes count against your team if you have not melded.
- Discarding a card the next opponent has already melded.
Canasta questions
What is a canasta?
A canasta is a meld of at least seven cards. A natural (clean) canasta has no wild cards and is worth 500 points; a mixed (dirty) one is worth 300.
How do red threes work in Canasta?
Red threes are bonus cards. They are laid down immediately and replaced, and they score 100 points each.
