rummy · South America / USA
Canasta
Also known as Canastra
Canasta is the classic rummy-family melding game played with two decks and wild cards. Build melds of matching ranks, complete a seven-card 'canasta' for a big bonus, and go out to end the round. Play free in your browser vs a smart bot or friend, no download or signup.
2–2 players · free · no download · no signup
How to play Canasta
- Draw from the stock or take the discard.
- Meld 3+ cards of the same rank (wilds allowed).
- Lay off onto your melds and build toward a canasta (7 cards).
- Discard to end your turn.
- Go out once you have a canasta. Highest score wins.
Canasta rules
Cards & wilds
Two decks plus jokers (108 cards). Jokers and 2s are wild and can stand in for any rank.
Your turn
Draw a card (from the stock or the discard pile), then meld and discard. A meld is 3+ cards of the same rank, with at most a few wilds.
Canastas
A meld of seven or more cards is a 'canasta' — a natural (no wilds) canasta scores more than a mixed one. You need at least one canasta before you can go out.
Scoring
Score the card points in your melds plus canasta and going-out bonuses, minus the cards left in your hand. First to the target total wins.
Strategy tips
- Aim for canastas — the bonuses dwarf small melds.
- Keep some wilds to complete a canasta.
- Don't discard a rank your opponent is clearly collecting.
- Hold high-point cards only if you can meld them soon.
Variants
Hand and Foot · Samba · Bolivia
Canasta — frequently asked questions
What is a canasta?
A meld of seven or more cards of the same rank. A natural canasta (no wild cards) scores more than a mixed one, and you need one to go out.
Which cards are wild in Canasta?
Jokers and all 2s are wild and can substitute for other ranks in a meld (within limits).
Can I play Canasta online free?
Yes — free in your browser at Love Card Games vs a smart bot or friend, no download or signup.