Card game similar to Rummy, played with two packs of cards. Usually with four players in two partnerships who seek to 'meld' sets of seven cards of the same rank to clear their hand. Variants exist for other numbers of players.
Questions tagged [canasta]
77 questions
8
votes
1 answer
Wild card discard in Canasta
I have 3 remaining cards in my hand. 1 Ace and 2 wild cards. At my turn, I place the Ace on the table to complete my second Canasta and then discard a wild card. The other players say I cannot do this, I must discard the Ace first. When I have only…
Diva
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7
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Is there another good 3 player variant of Canasta?
The only 3 player variant of Canasta that I know is Cutthroat Canasta. Are there any other good 3 player variations?
chilltemp
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6
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1 answer
Replacing red threes
If a player is dealt (i.e., dealt during the deal, not as draws drawn later) red threes and on their first turn they want to pick up the pile, when do they pick up the replacement cards for the red threes?
Jujulini
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6
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2 answers
What is the purpose of minimum points required for initial meld?
In Canasta and several variants of Contract-Rummy, like Rummikub and Kaluki, there is an "initial meld" rule: The first melds put down by a player must consist of cards to a total value of at least X points.
From a game design perspective, what does…
Dave Butler
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6
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When is it beneficial to freeze the discard pile?
I started playing Canasta this past weekend with some of my relatives. We played with four people, two teams of two. I understand most of the strategy for the game, but freezing the pile generally seems like a terrible idea.
I noticed that, in…
SocioMatt
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5
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Canasta Playing Wild Card on a Canasta
Can you play a wild card on an existing Canasta if it becomes the 4th wild card in the meld?
Steve
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5
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1 answer
Canasta rules for melding and picking up pile
In canasta. Can you meld three wild cards and two jacks to pick up a jack on the discard pile?
Bobbie
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4
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In Canasta, is it possible to pickup a black 3 if it allows to go out?
Can I pickup 3♣ / 3♠ from the discard pile if it has just that card and my hand has two black 3s?
martin carter
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4
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Initial meld and additional pair of same rank
Playing Canasta, can I make the initial meld of:
2,A,A,A and 8,8,8,8 = 120 and then pick up the 8 from the discard pile with 8,8 remaining in my hand?
when the situation is:
My hand: 2,A,A,A, 8,8,8,8, 8,8, J,J,3.
My opponent throws an 8 to the…
Sue
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4
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1 answer
Canasta: Rules to pick up discard pile when frozen or not frozen
Is this a correct understanding of when you are allowed to pick up the discard pile?
If not frozen, you can pick up the discard pile if you can use the top card to make a meld from your hand OR to simply take the top card and put down and add to an…
Susan S
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Does adding a deck change the odds?
We are playing a version of Canasta.
Tonight we had 6 players and 4 decks. Everyone playing individually. The goal is to get the most points which is most easily achieved by getting a “canasta” - i.e. 7 of the same number including wild cards (2s…
Damon L
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3
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Using an existing Canasta to pick up the discard pile
I understand that you can pick up the top discard (and then the whole discard pile) if the pile is not frozen, and the top card matches a meld you have on the table.
I have some friends who play that you cannot do this if the meld is already a…
Richard Prestage
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3
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How does a freeze/stop pile work in Canasta?
I played Canasta many years ago in my teens - so memory may have faded somewhat - but O would like to refresh and try playing more. On revisiting the rules, I am confused by the Freeze Pile / Stop Card as described by Scarne (the rules by which we…
Rachel Shelley
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3
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Can cards from an invalid meld be used in a subsequent valid meld?
This is a follow-up to my previous question here: Canasta and the rules on invalid melding
In Canasta, if the “partner” of the person who laid down an invalid meld after exposing her cards, now comes down with a valid meld, can she now use any of…
mary Fiore
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3
votes
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Canasta - Discard Pile Pick-up
May I pick-up the discard pile if the top card is the same in as the ones in my already-completed canasta.
(i.e. it has the needed seven (7) cards)
djs
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