Canasta at a glance
Canasta is a partnership collecting game with a tempting shared discard pile. Meld matching ranks, build a seven-card canasta, and coordinate the end of the hand. Taking a large pile creates opportunities, but also adds cards you must put to use.
- Players
- 4 · Two teams
- Deck
- 108 cards · With jokers
- Hand
- 11 cards each
- Target
- 5,000 points
How to play Canasta online
Play free in your browser, with no download or account required. Choose the kind of table you want to join.
Practice with computers
Choose Play with computers and a pace: Relaxed, Friendly, or Quick. Use Hint when you need help finding a move.
Invite your friends
Choose Invite friends and share Copy invite or the room code. Friends join through Have an invite? The host can fill empty seats with computers.
Find an online opponent
Choose Find online players to look for other people. If no matching players are available, you can practice with computers instead.
Computer games also need an internet connection. The table handles dealing, legal moves, and scoring. These rules describe the version played here; other tables may use different house rules.
Rules of Canasta
Deal and red threes
Two decks and four jokers make 108 cards. Deal eleven each to four players in opposite partnerships. Red threes are displayed and replaced automatically.
Drawing or taking the discard pile
Draw one stock card or take the whole discard pile by immediately melding its top. A frozen pile needs two matching natural cards from your hand. Wild cards freeze the pile; a top black three blocks it.
Legal melds and opening minimums
Meld equal ranks in groups of at least three, with at least two naturals, more naturals than wilds, and at most three wilds. Twos and jokers are wild. Select several sets together to meet an opening minimum: 15 below zero, 50 below 1500, 90 below 3000, otherwise 120.
Making a canasta and going out
A canasta has at least seven cards. You need one to go out. Your partner must approve going out; a refusal is binding for that turn. Black threes can only be melded as a final group of three or four.
Scoring and winning
Bonuses and final scoring
Natural canastas score 500, mixed 300; red threes score 100 each with 400 extra for all four. Going out scores 100, or 200 with a concealed opening. Add melded card values and subtract cards held. Reach 5000 to win, or lose at −2000.
How to get better at Canasta
Watch the top discard
Consider the ranks opponents are collecting. An easy pickup can give them the entire pile.
Keep natural pairs
Two naturals matching the top discard are essential to picking up a frozen pile. Melding every pair may remove that option.
Balance wild cards
Wilds help complete melds, but natural canastas earn more. Keep more naturals than wilds and respect the three-wild limit.
Coordinate the finish
Your side needs a canasta and partner approval to go out. Their remaining cards affect whether ending the hand is a good idea.
Frequently asked questions
What is a canasta?
A meld of at least seven cards. A natural canasta has no wild cards and scores 500; a mixed canasta includes wilds and scores 300.
Which cards are wild?
Twos and jokers. A meld still needs at least two naturals, more naturals than wilds, and at most three wild cards.
Why can’t I take the pile?
You must immediately meld its top card. A frozen pile needs two matching naturals from your hand; a black three on top blocks pickup.
Can I go out without asking?
No. Partner approval is required here. If your partner refuses, you must keep playing for that turn.
Can I play Canasta against computers?
Yes. Choose Play with computers at the table and select a computer pace. Private tables can also mix friends with computers. An internet connection is required.
How do I invite friends to Canasta?
Choose Invite friends, then use Copy invite in the waiting room. Friends can open that link or enter the room code in Have an invite? The host can fill empty seats with computers.
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