Canasta
Rummy-family card game invented 1939 by Segundo Santos + Alberto Serrato in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uses 2 standard decks + 4 jokers (108 cards). Players form MELDS (3+ cards same rank) — CANASTA = 7-card meld (500 pts natural, 300 mixed). Massive American craze 1948-1953. Partnership Canasta (4 players) standard. Cult classic; declining but active online.
What is Canasta?
Canasta is RUMMY-FAMILY CARD GAME invented 1939 by SEGUNDO SANTOS + ALBERTO SERRATO in MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY at Jockey Club. Named for Spanish 'CANASTA' (BASKET) referring to 7-card meld. Uses 2 STANDARD DECKS + 4 JOKERS = 108 CARDS. Players form MELDS (3+ cards same rank; wild cards allowed). CANASTA = 7-CARD MELD (natural 500 pts; mixed with wilds 300 pts). WILD CARDS: 2s + Jokers. PARTNERSHIP CANASTA (4 players, 2 teams) STANDARD variant. GAMEPLAY: draw + discard + meld (like rummy) but with restrictions: cannot pick up discard pile without matching top card + specific meld requirements; RED 3s automatically melded (100 pts each). GO OUT by melding all cards + closing round. GAME to 5000 points. EXPLODED IN POPULARITY 1948-1953 in USA — biggest card game craze since Contract Bridge. Reached UK, Europe, Australia. Declining since 1970s but active online community + tournaments. VARIANTS: HAND & FOOT (extra 'foot' hand set aside), SAMBA (uses 3 decks + more variants), BOLIVIA, RUMMYPOKER. RECOMMENDED for enthusiast card players + families.
Quick facts
Category
Card Games
Type
Team sport
Players
2–6
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
card table
Country of origin
🇺🇾 Uruguay
Estimated origin
Invented 1939 Uruguay by Santos + Serrato; spread through Argentina + Brazil 1940s; hit USA 1948; massive craze 1948-1953
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
First team to 5000 points; earned via canastas (7-card melds) + smaller melds + bonuses.
Rules
Basic rules
Each player dealt 11 cards (Partnership Canasta)
Discard pile started; drawing + discarding + melding turns.
Meld = 3+ cards same rank
Natural (no wild) or mixed (up to 3 wilds per meld; must have 2+ natural).
Canasta = 7-card meld
Natural canasta 500 pts; mixed canasta 300 pts. Must have 1+ canasta to go out.
Red 3s automatically melded
100 pts each; -100 if opponent has all 4.
Cannot pick up discard pile without matching card
Pile frozen when wild card discarded onto it.
Go out = meld all cards; game to 5000
500 pt bonus for going out; -100 to opponents' unmelded cards.
Scoring
Complex scoring: melds + canastas + go-out bonus - unmelded card penalties.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Natural canasta | 500 |
| Mixed canasta | 300 |
| Red 3 | 100 each |
| All 4 red 3s | 800 |
| Aces / 8s-K | 5-10 pts each |
| 2s / Jokers (wild) | 20 each in meld |
| Going out | 500 bonus |
| Unmelded cards | -100 per card left in hand |
Win condition · First team to 5000 points.
Playing area
Called
card table
Dimensions
square/rectangular for 4 players
Standard 4-seat card table.
Equipment
108-card deck (2 standard + 4 jokers)
€10 or use 2 standard decks + jokers
Score pad + pencil
Track meld + canasta scores
4 chairs / table
Standard card table
Strategies
Prioritize natural canastas (500 vs 300 mixed)
Save wilds for necessity; naturals worth more.
Freeze discard pile against opponents
Wild card discarded prevents opponents picking up.
Communicate via meld order + discard signals
Partnership signaling essential.
Terminology
- Canasta
- 7-card meld (Spanish for basket).
- Meld
- 3+ cards of same rank placed together.
- Natural canasta
- Canasta with no wild cards (500 pts).
- Mixed canasta
- Canasta with wild cards (300 pts, max 3 wilds).
- Freeze the discard pile
- Wild card discarded prevents pile pickup.
- Wild cards
- 2s + Jokers.
- Red 3s
- Automatically melded; +100 pts each.
- Going out
- Melding all cards; 500 pt bonus.
Major competitions
Canasta clubs + online tournaments
ongoing · worldwide · since 1950
American Canasta Association (informal, historical)
historical · USA · since 1950
Where it is played
Governing bodies
No official governing body
n/a
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Segundo Santos + Alberto Serrato (Uruguay, 1939) — Inventors
- Josephine Artayeta de Viel (Argentina) — Popularized in USA + Argentina
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Play online (Trickster, VIP Games, Board Game Arena)
Learn against AI + humans.
- 2
Family game — best learned from experienced player
1-2 hours to learn basics.
intermediate
- 1
Try Hand and Foot variant
Popular American variant with extra hand.
advanced
- 1
Online tournaments + local canasta clubs
Cash prizes on some platforms.
Frequently asked
What is Canasta?+
RUMMY-FAMILY CARD GAME invented 1939 by SEGUNDO SANTOS + ALBERTO SERRATO in MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY. Uses 108 cards (2 standard decks + 4 jokers). Players form MELDS (3+ cards same rank); CANASTA = 7-card meld (500 pts natural, 300 mixed). Partnership Canasta (4 players, 2 teams) most common. HUGE American craze 1948-1953. Declining but active online. First team to 5000 points wins.
How is Canasta different from Rummy?+
RUMMY = simpler melds (3+ cards same rank OR runs), single deck, MANY variants. CANASTA = 2 decks + 4 jokers (108 cards), MELDS ONLY (no runs), signature CANASTA (7-card meld), FROZEN DISCARD PILE mechanics, RED 3 BONUSES, WILD CARDS (2s + Jokers). More complex + strategic than basic Rummy. Partnership Canasta is TEAM game (unusual for rummy family).
Is Canasta still played?+
YES but DECLINING. Peak 1948-1953 (biggest American card game craze since Contract Bridge). Still active among 60+ generation + online. TRICKSTER CARDS + VIP GAMES + BOARD GAME ARENA host regular play. American CANASTA CLUBS in retirement communities + community centers. Not as popular as poker/bridge but persistent cult following. HAND AND FOOT (variant) especially popular USA family gatherings.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Canasta— Wikipedia