Rules of Canasta
Classic American Canasta for 2 or 4 players (partners
sit opposite when four play). Match is first to 5,000 points. This page
summarizes the rules implemented in this app; see also the full source text in
rules.txt.
Deck & deal
Two standard decks plus four jokers (108 cards). Each player receives 11 cards. The remainder is the stock; the top card starts the discard pile (additional cards are turned if needed until a natural four-or-higher tops it).
Wild cards
Jokers and deuces are wild. A wild is melded only with natural cards of a rank (max three wilds per meld).
Red threes
Red threes are laid face up for your side and replaced from the stock when drawn or found in the hand. From a taken discard pile they are laid without replacement. Bonus 100 each (800 for all four) if your side has melded; otherwise they count against you at the end of the hand.
Melds
Three or more cards of the same rank (aces down to fours). Sequences are not valid. Black threes may only be melded (three or four, no wilds) when going out.
Canastas
A meld of seven or more with at least four natural cards. Pure canasta (no wilds) +500; mixed +300. Additional cards may be added after completion.
Initial meld minimum
| Score at deal start | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Below 0 | 15 |
| 0–1,495 | 50 |
| 1,500–2,995 | 90 |
| 3,000+ | 120 |
Card values: joker 50, deuce 20, ace 20, K–8 = 10, 7–4 and black 3 = 5. Canasta and red-three bonuses do not count toward the minimum.
Discard pile
The pile is frozen against a side until that side makes its initial meld, and whenever a wild, black three, or red three freezes the pile. A frozen pile may only be taken with a natural pair matching the top card. The top may never be a wild or three when taking.
Going out
Empty your hand only if your side has a canasta (or completes one while going out). You may go out without discarding by melding everything left. With partners, you may ask “Partner, may I go out?” — the answer is binding.
Scoring a deal
- Pure canasta 500; mixed 300
- Red threes as above
- Going out 100; concealed going out +100 extra
- Plus melded card values, minus cards left in hands
The side that first reaches 5,000 after a completed deal wins the match.