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This lesson covers the essential supplies needed to play Canasta: the two-deck card setup, the revolving tray for smooth gameplay, and the scorekeeping tools that keep the game organized and competitive.

This lesson breaks down the core mechanics of Canasta — drawing, melding, discarding, and going out — so you understand the flow of each turn and how hands progress toward victory.

In this lesson, you'll learn how every card contributes to your team's success or penalties. From basic card values to the unique scoring of 3s and Canastas, we’ll break down how points are calculated during a hand and across the game. Knowing what’s worth what isn’t just bookkeeping it’s strategy.

In this lesson, you'll discover what a Canasta is, explore the different types from Natural to Wild Card Canastas and learn how each one scores. You'll also understand which Canastas carry big rewards, which carry penalties, and why completing two is key to winning a hand.

In this lesson, you'll learn the rules for making your team's first meld including how many points you need based on your score, what makes a meld legal, and why a Clean Triple is required to get started.

This lesson explains what the Talon is — bonus cards awarded after the initial meld — including how many cards are given, who receives them, and when they’re no longer available.

This lesson explains how to build on your team's melds after the initial one — including rules for adding Wild Cards, creating new melds, and special considerations for Aces and 7s.

This lesson introduces the SWAD rule covering Sevens, Wilds, Aces, and Dead Cards and explains why these cards are risky, when they can’t be discarded, and how to handle them safely during play.

In this lesson, you’ll learn when and how to Pick the Pack — taking the entire discard pile — including the rules you must meet, strategic advantages, and the risks involved with Aces, 7s, and Wild Cards.

This lesson explains the four player roles in Canasta — Scorekeeper, Dealer, Cutter, and Shuffler — and how they rotate to ensure fair, organized gameplay each hand.

This lesson explores the Wild Card Canasta — how to build one using 2s and Jokers, the points it’s worth, the strict rules for completing it, and the major penalty if left unfinished.

This lesson teaches how partners can legally signal for 7s, what different discards mean, and how to use signaling strategically to block opponents or avoid costly penalties.

This lesson explains how responsibility for blocking 7s — known as being the “Keeper of the 7s” — can transfer between partners, and how strategic discards or melds signal and shift that role during the game.