This card game was wildly popular during the 1940's and 1950's. My parents played it often with friends when they weren't playing pinochle. I still enjoy playing the game, which works for two up to five players. Sometimes people like to play with partners if there are only four players.
Ace = 20
2 = 20 (wild card)
Joker = 50 (wild card)
Face cards = 10
8 through 10 = 10
4 through 7 = 5
Black 3 = 5 (Can’t be used in a canasta but is good discard)
______________________________
Mixed canasta (at least four of a kind plus wild cards in total of seven cards) = 300
Natural canasta ( seven of a kind) = 500
Red 3 = 100 (only after meld) or can count negatively. All four at once total 800
Red 3 = draw again
______________________________
Begin with 11 cards for each player
Begin with 50-point meld
1500-3000 points = 90-point meld
3000-5000 points = 120-point meld
______________________________
Pile of discards may be picked up instead of drawing a new card if there are at least 3 such cards on table or 2 in hand.
Wild card (placed sideways as discard) can freeze pile so that picking up occurs only with two of a kind IN HAND matching top card.
