How to play Canasta

Objective

Build canastas, go out legally, and outscore the opposing partnership.

Setup

1. 1

   Combine two 52-card decks and four jokers. Deal 11 cards each in the four-player game.

2. 2

   Turn one card up to start the discard pile.

How play works

1. 1

   Draw two cards or take the discard pile when its top card can be used in a valid meld.

2. 2

   Meld equal ranks; twos and jokers are wild, while threes have special roles.

3. 3

   Discard one card to end the turn. A side needs at least one canasta before going out.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   Score card values, canasta bonuses, going out, and red threes; subtract cards remaining in hand.

2. 2

   Traditional games continue to 5,000 points.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   A natural canasta has no wilds; a mixed canasta includes wilds.

2. 2

   Freeze and initial-meld rules matter when taking the discard pile.