Also known as Argentinean, Chilean or Uruguayan Canasta, it is a variant of Bossa Nova Canasta. The differences are:

1) Sequences may be only made from Four on. Ace is only good after King.

2) Threes are not used in the regular game. Red threes are laid open on the table, to the right of the player, who must draw another card to replace it. Every red three is worth 100 points for the player or pair that has at least one canasta. If this is not accomplished the player or pair will loose 100 points for each red three on their side them.

3) Black threes are only good for discard. They are called "freeze" and when they are discarded the next player isn't allowed to draw the discard pile.

4) The discard pile, which has to be piled showing only the top card, may only be drawn when the player is able to use the top card to immediately lay a meld using this card plus other two from his hand, one of which may be a wild card. Example: Six is the card on top of the discard pile. To get the discard pile, the player must meld three sixes (using at least two cards from his hand), or two sixes and a wild card; or, instead, a sequence using the six , with or without a wild card. The basic thing is that the player uses at least two cards from his hand. Only after assuring his draw by laying a meld, may a player lay other cards. The player may choose whether or not he wants to lay other games or cards;

5) The discard pile may also be drawn when the top card fits into any melded game. Example: the player has laid a meld of eights and the opponent before him discards an eight. Another hypothesis: the player has an 8-9-10 Hearts sequence. If his opponent discards a Seven or Jack, he also may draw the discard pile. In case the opponent discards Hearts Queen and he has the Hearts Jack in his hand, the player will not be allowed to draw the discard pile to fit the Queen and the Jack.

6) There are currently many local variants of this game, depending on agreement among the players. Example: some players stipulate that when a player goes out, finishing the game, each black three in a player's hand is worth 100 negative points. Others agree that in order to go out a royal canasta is required, even if it is not a "clean" (without a wild card) canasta.

Suggestion:

Maximum of 4 players;
Use two 52-card decks;
The first one to play is the one who draws the highest card, before the game.
After shuffling, the deck must be cut by the player to the right of the dealer and are to be dealt clockwise, one by one, beginning with the player to the dearler's left, until each player has eleven cards.

The player who has cut the deck, also deals two stacks of 13 cards each, which are named "dead piles" (foot).

Each two of the four players make a pair. The pair that goes out first, picks one a foot pile, since there is a foot pile for each pair.

In case the pair that first drew the foot goes out again, the game is over. When the other pair doesn't draw their foot, they must add 100 negative points to the points lost in their hands.

At least one canasta is required to go out.

Objective: to reach 3000 points first; when both pairs achieve 3000 points at the same time, the one with the highest score wins.

  • Same Value Cards: 3 to 8 card sets. Minimum of three cards is to be laid, but a larger number is possible and other cards may be added in the course of the game.

  • Sequences: Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. Ex.: Clubs 4, 5 and 6, Hearts 10, Jack and Queen (Ace is placed after King and before Two).

  • Wild Cards: Besides the Joker, commonly used only in family games, twos are also used as wild cards and may replace any card. Example: Diamonds Queen-any Two-Diamonds Ace; Seven-Seven-Two.

  • Going Out: Means to get rid of the cards by melding use all eleven cards (or more cards, when others have been drawn from the discard pile). These melds may be laid from time to time, as they are accomplished by the players.

  • Score: Every card in hand - 10 points;
    Every red Three (as long as there is a canasta) - 100 points;
    Every red Three (without a canasta) - 100 collective points;
    For those who have not taken the foot - 100 negative points.
 
 

 

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