The Canasta Connection Beginner Session 1
Beginner Session 1

Play your first round.

Learn a little, see it happen, practice it, and complete an Exit Ticket before moving on.

Your progress

Getting started

Complete the three interactive sections below.

Coming next

Remaining Session 1

Setup, dealing, arranging the hand, the sequence of a turn, Phase 2, Meld Base 5, Phase 3, and homework.

Mini Section 1

Point Values

Threes are special cards that earn a bonus: no melds or canastas with threes.

54, 5, 6, 7
108, 9, 10, J, Q, K
20Ace
202
50Joker
From Emily & Bev

Replace this placeholder with a short video explaining how point values will be used during the session.

Mini Section 2

Melds & Canastas

Meld: 3 or more cards of the same rank.

You may substitute up to 2 wildcards as long as you have at least 2 natural cards.

Melds belong to a partnership.

They do not belong to an individual player.

Goal: 7 cards.

A meld of 7 cards is a canasta.

Natural / Clean / Pure

Canasta with no wild cards.

Mixed / Dirty / Unnatural

Canasta with 1 or 2 wild cards.

Mini Section 3

Phase 1: Trying to Open

Opening Requirement

One person per team must “open” (otherwise known as the initial meld or going down).

125 points in order to open initially.

Must have at least one clean triple.

Bonus Cards (Talons)

First team to open: Draw 4 bonus cards.

Second team to open: Draw 3 bonus cards.

From Emily & Bev In Phase 1, take a few turns. Draw, decide whether you can open, and discard.