Up Your card Game

Ready the eggnog and spice up the party! With these spunky card games, how can you go AFOWL?

Canasta, created by two bridge partners in Uruguay in the late 1930s, arrived in the U.S. from Buenos Aires in 1948. Within two years, it became a nationwide sensation, with over 10 million Americans hooked on its exciting blend of luck and strategy. Today, Canasta remains the life of the party!

Think of what you can and cannot do as the rules of the game, and what you should or should not do as strategy. The rules are set in stone; they’re either a “yes, you can” or a “no, not allowed.”  However, just because the rules allow something, strategy should dictate what you do. And here’s where it gets tricky - strategy varies!  Ask five different players what they would do in the same situation, and you’ll likely get five different answers.

Since Canasta made its splash in the U.S. in 1949, table rules have varied from game to game. Why? Theories abound—misunderstandings, blending strategy with rules. Interestingly, Canasta can even develop geographic “conventions.” Whatever the reason, being crystal clear about your table rules ensures the game is fun and fair for all players.