You and your partner Kit against Max and Lena — first team to 5,000
How to play Canasta
Four players in two teams: you and Kit against Max and Lena
Teams: you and Kit are partners, sitting opposite each other, against Max and Lena. Two decks and four jokers.
Your turn: draw one card from the stock, or take the whole discard pile; meld if you like; then discard one card. If the stock is empty, drawing ends the hand.
Melds: three or more cards of one rank. Jokers and 2s are wild. A meld needs at least two natural cards, never more wild cards than natural ones, and no more than three wild cards (this site's house rule). 3s can't be melded, except three or four black 3s as you go out.
The initial meld: your side's first meld of each hand must be worth at least 50 points (90 from 1,500, 120 from 3,000; 15 when your side is below zero). It may be made by taking the pile, and every meld laid with it counts.
Taking the pile: you need a natural pair matching the top card (or, if the pile isn't frozen, a pair plus a wild card, or a meld on the table). A wild card in the pile freezes it.
Canastas: a meld of seven or more. Natural (no wild cards) scores 500, mixed 300. Your side needs a canasta to go out: 100, or 200 if you go out concealed (melding everything in one turn, including a complete canasta of your own, having melded nothing before and adding nothing to Kit's melds).
Card values: joker 50; aces and 2s 20; kings to 8s 10; 7s to 4s and black 3s 5. Cards left in hand count against your side.
Black 3s: discarding one stops the next player taking the pile.
Red 3s: set aside at once and replaced, 100 each (all four: 800). A side that has made no meld when the hand ends loses them instead.
Winning: the first team to 5,000 wins. If both teams are level, play another hand.
Choosing a card: tap a card to lift it, tap it again to discard it — or use the button. Press and hold a card to move it in your hand.
Keyboard: ← → move through your hand, Enter lifts or discards the card, S stock, D discard pile, H hint, Escape closes a panel.
Canasta is played here for entertainment only — there is no wagering, no real money and no prizes of any kind.