The canasta card game belongs to the rummy family of card games. The canasta card game rules are easy to understand if you are a rummy player. We will explain how to play canasta step by step to make it easy for you to understand. This is game that is usually played by four players. There are variations for two players and six players too where the canasta game rules are altered a bit. Read along and understand how do you play canasta for beginners.
The Purpose of the Game
The main purpose of the Canasta card game is to make maximum number of melds with or without the use of jokers (wild cards). The players may make use of canasta tricks to outwit the opponent and win the card game.
The Dealing of Cards in Canasta
The dealer distributes 11 cards to each player. The cards are dealt starting from the player to the left of the dealer. The cards are dealt such that the last card is always dealt to the dealer. Just like in rummy card games, the remaining cards from the deck are placed at the centre as stock. The topmost card is left open. The upward card cannot be an ace, two or three. If it turns out to be any of these, the next card is taken till a natural card shows up. Players who learn the game through the canasta quick guide often get confused about these aspects.
The Way the Points are Calculated
You should also clarify your doubts regarding points calculation when you ask how to play canasta card game. Point calculation is an important part of playing Canasta Card Game correctly. You need to understand canasta card game rules first. As per these rules, every card has a fixed value in points as listed below:
Each Ace= 20 points
Each Deuce= 20 points
Each joker= 50 points
Each K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8= 10 points
Each 7, 6, 5, 4, 3= 5 points
The points value of a meld in Canasta Card Game is the sum of all the point values of cards used in the meld. Apart from these points, there are also points counted for different bonuses as per the canasta game rules. It is important to understand these also before playing the card game.
Canastas and Melds
An important facet of canasta card game rules is about canastas and melds. Here we have discussed this in greater detail. A meld is an arrangement of cards of the same rank. A meld can also make use of wild cards for completion but requires at least two natural cards as base. The maximum number of wild cards used for completion of a meld is three.
A Canasta is a type of meld that is made of seven or more cards. A Canasta must have at least four natural cards as the base for it to be valid. There are two types of Canastas in this game. As per the canasta rules, players get bonus points for each of these Canasta types. If a player presents a natural Canasta that does not make use of any wild cards, he gets a bonus of 500 points. If a player presents a mixed Canasta (a Canasta that makes use of wild cards for its completion), he gets 300 bonus points.
Common Queries of Players
People who are just learning the Canasta card game have many questions apart from how do you play canasta card game. Here we have tried to identify and answer most of these queries for the new players. Read them to get all your questions about canasta tips and tricks answered.
How To Play Canasta With 4 Players?
The standard Canasta card game is played with four players. That is why the standard rules of Canasta card game apply to this version.
How To Play Canasta With 6 Players?
There can be two ways in which Canasta card game can be played between 6 players. The first option is to play the game with two three-player partnerships. Here, there are two teams competing against each other. The other option is three two-player partnerships where three teams compete against each other using canasta tips and tricks.
How To Play Canasta With 3 Players?
The canasta rules change slightly when the game is played amidst three players. The number of decks used for the game may also vary accordingly.
How To Play Canasta 2 Player?
The players are initially dealt 15 cards each when there are only two players in the game. There are minor tweaks in the canasta cards rules to make the game more enjoyable. The canasta rules for the game specifies that the player will draw two cards from the stock rather than one during his turn. The player needs to complete two canastas two end the round in this variation. All the regular rules that apply to Canasta card game apply to this version too.
Answers shared above will help you understand clearly how do you play canasta. Thanks to technology, it is now possible to enjoy your favorite card games online too. Just insert your query on how to play canasta online and you will come across several answers to assist you. There are multiple apps where the online version of Canasta card game is available. In any of these apps/websites, you will easily find the answer to how to play canasta online. You just need to download a trustworthy app and starting online gaming. Here are some things to check while selecting an online gaming app:
- Look for a trusted online platform like Khelplay Rummy app where users have provided positive reviews and feedback.
- Look for a platform where they maintain high level of transparency with the users.
- Look for a platform that offers fully legal cash gaming options.
- Consult your friends and other online gamers to get a better perspective.
Choose a suitable online gaming app to enjoy endless sessions of Canasta card games online.
