Q&A for How to Play Canasta

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Question

Is there such a thing as freezing the pile when I discard a wild card?

Community Answer

Yes, there is. When you discard a wild card, you are freezing it. This means that after doing that the pile cannot be taken by anybody, only those having a pair of cards similar to the one that will be shown at the pile.

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Question

Can I add matching cards to a canasta?

Community Answer

Yes. You can add as many you have on your hand, as long you have completed a canasta.

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Question

Can I play off of other people's cards on the table?

Community Answer

No. You cannot play off of an opponent’s melds, but you can play off of your partner's melds.

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Question

How many deuces or jokers must we have to make a mixed canasta?

James Brinkworth

Community Answer

A mixed canasta cannot have more wild cards than natural cards. A canasta must have at least 4 natural cards in it.

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Question

If I play two draws and two canastas to go out, are the rules the same as regular canasta?

James Brinkworth

Community Answer

Yes, you're describing the 2-player version where the only differences to regular canasta are the two draws and two canastas to go out.

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Question

If the last card picked is a 3, do I hold it in my hand and count it as a minus of 5 points? Should I discard a card, or does the game end if I pick a 3 as my last card?

James Brinkworth

Community Answer

If the last card drawn is a red 3, then you would lay it down as normal and score accordingly. If the last card drawn is a black 3 and you have 2 or 3 other black 3s in your hand, you are allowed to make a meld of black 3s in order to go out. Otherwise, any black 3 left in your hand would score 5 points against you.

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Question

Can I pick up a single discard or must I take the whole discard pile when playing canasta?

Community Answer

You must pick up the whole discard pile, using the top card to make your meld, keeping the rest in your hand, then discard one card as normal.

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