Canasta

Canasta is an adaptation of the card game with the same name. It is very similar to rummy, revolving around building melds. This version of the game can be played by two or four players. If there are four players, they are divided into two opposing teams that have one shared meld pile each. The main goal is to discard all the cards before the opponent. Players take turns and pick either two cards from the stockpile or the entire discard pile, while discarding one card at the same time. Using the cards in the hand it's possible to create melds, which are groups of three or more cards of the same number. Melds of seven or more cards are called "canastas" and add bonus points. The 2s and the Jokers are wild cards which can be used to create melds with other cards. The number of wild cards must always be less than the normal cards in a meld in order for it to be valid. For example, two 9s and one Joker is a valid meld, while one 9 and two Jokers is not. It's necessary to have at least one "canasta" in order to meld out and win the hand. Even then both players receive their meld points, with the losers receiving a penalty in point equal to the cards in their hands. The player that reaches 5000 points first wins the match.

There are other various rules that enhance the gameplay. For starters, it's possible to freeze the discard pile by discarding a wild card (a 2 or a Joker). To unlock it, the opponent needs to make an opening meld and to match the top card with a natural pair. Furthermore, the discard pile can only be picked after an opening meld. An additional rule is that black 3s can only be melded when the player goes out, and it's not possible to use wild cards in combination with them. Red 3s are never melded or discarded; they are moved automatically to the meld are for bonus points.