canasta scoring

who doesn't love a cheat sheet?

Tuck this handy duo into your chick magnets carryall and be the GOAT scorekeeper at your table. Includes commonly accepted special hands and play for money!

canasta scoresheet & reference card

Download our Scoresheet + Scoring Reference PDF (Free)

Download for essential scoring tools right at your table.

minimum count to open

  • under 3,000 — 125 points
  • 3,000–4,995 — 155 points
  • 5,000+ — 180 points
  • add 10 points for each incorrect open
  • opening with a splash (natural canasta) satisfies all initial meld conditions

calculate base score

the base score consists of:

  • value of 3s
  • points for canastas
  • penalties
  • bonus for going out

3s scoring (per color)

  • 1 red or black 3 — 100 points
  • 2 — 300 points
  • 3 — 500 points
  • 4 — 1,000 points (yes, really!)

canastas

  • Mixed (black card on top) — 300 points
  • Natural/Pure (red card on top) — 500 points

special canastas

  • sevens — 2,500 points
  • pure aces — 2,500 points
  • wild cards:
    • all deuces — 3,000 points
    • 4 jokers + 3 deuces — 2,500 points
    • any other wild combo — 2,000 points

penalties

  • incomplete 7s — minus 2,500 points
  • incomplete pure aces — minus 2,500 points
  • incomplete wilds — minus 2,000 points
  • dirty with three or more 7s or aces in hand— minus 1,500 points (each)

bonus for going out

+100 points

special hands

  • garbage (straight) — 3,000 points
  • pungs & kongs — 2,500 points (4‑4‑3‑3, no wilds)
  • zip code — 2,500 points (4‑3‑3‑2‑2, no wilds)
  • pairs:
    • no wilds — 2,500 points
    • with wilds (aces + 7s required) — 2,000 points

playing for money

  1. winning score minus losing score
  2. round to nearest 1,000
  3. divide by 1,000
  4. multiply by pre‑agreed multiplier
  5. optional: adjust for specials

example:

  • winning team: 8,730
  • losing team: 5,380 (with zip code & wild card canasta)
  • difference: 3,350 → rounds to 3,000
  • 3 × multiplier 2 = $6
  • $6 − $2 specials = $4 owed to winning team

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