The Hand and Foot card game is a popular variation of the classic card game Canasta. It is believed to have originated in North America in the 1950s and has since gained a dedicated following. The game is typically played with four players in teams of two, but it can also be played with three or six players. The objective of the game is to score the most points by forming melds of cards and getting rid of all the cards in your hand and foot piles.
Key Takeaways
- Hand and Foot is a popular card game that can be played with 2-6 players.
- The game involves building melds of cards and scoring points based on the cards in your hand and on the table.
- To set up the game, each player is dealt two hands of cards: a “hand” and a “foot.”
- Basic strategy involves trying to build as many melds as possible and getting rid of cards in your hand and foot.
- Tips for building melds include focusing on one suit, keeping track of what cards have been played, and communicating with your partner.
Understanding the Rules of Hand and Foot Card Game
The Hand and Foot card game is played with multiple decks of standard playing cards, typically including jokers. The number of decks used depends on the number of players. For four players, two decks are used, while three or six players require three decks. The jokers are considered wild cards and can be used to substitute any other card.
To start the game, each player is dealt two sets of cards: a hand pile and a foot pile. The hand pile consists of 11 cards, while the foot pile consists of 13 cards. The remaining cards are placed in the center of the table to form the draw pile.
The objective of the game is to form melds, which are sets or runs of three or more cards of the same rank or consecutive ranks in the same suit. Melds can be formed using the cards from your hand pile, foot pile, or both. Once a meld has been formed, it is placed face up on the table in front of you.
Setting Up the Game: Dealing the Cards
To set up the game, shuffle the decks of cards thoroughly and place them face down in the center of the table to form the draw pile. Each player should have a pen and paper to keep track of their score.
To deal the cards, one player is chosen as the dealer for the first round. The dealer shuffles the cards and deals 11 cards to each player, one at a time, starting with the player to their left. These 11 cards form the hand pile. The dealer then deals 13 cards to each player, one at a time, starting with the player to their left. These 13 cards form the foot pile.
After the initial deal, the dealer flips over the top card of the draw pile and places it face up next to the draw pile. This card becomes the discard pile.
How to Play Hand and Foot Card Game: Basic Strategy
| Basic Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Melding | Try to meld as many cards as possible to reduce the number of cards in your hand. |
| Discarding | Discard high value cards that are not part of a meld to prevent opponents from using them. |
| Going Out | Try to go out as soon as possible by melding all your cards and discarding the last card. |
| Opponent’s Melds | Pay attention to your opponent’s melds and try to block them by discarding cards they need. |
| Red Threes | Try to collect red threes as they are worth bonus points and can be used to freeze opponents’ melds. |
To start the game, the player to the left of the dealer goes first. On their turn, a player can either draw two cards from the draw pile or pick up the entire discard pile. If they choose to draw from the draw pile, they must also discard one card from their hand or foot pile onto the discard pile.
The goal of each turn is to form melds and get rid of as many cards as possible. A player can form melds by laying down sets or runs of three or more cards of the same rank or consecutive ranks in the same suit. Once a meld has been formed, it is placed face up on the table in front of the player.
At the end of their turn, a player must always have at least one card in their hand and one card in their foot pile. If a player has no cards left in their hand or foot pile, they can continue playing by drawing two cards from the draw pile and discarding one card onto the discard pile.
The game continues clockwise with each player taking turns until one player goes out by getting rid of all their cards. Once a player goes out, all other players have one final turn to try and get rid of as many cards as possible.
Tips for Building Melds in Hand and Foot Card Game
Melds are an essential part of the Hand and Foot card game, as they allow players to score points and get rid of cards. Here are some tips for building strong melds:
1. Look for sets: Sets are groups of three or more cards of the same rank. Look for cards of the same rank in your hand and foot piles and try to form sets as early as possible. Sets can be formed using wild cards as well.
2. Build runs: Runs are groups of three or more consecutive cards in the same suit. Look for consecutive cards in your hand and foot piles and try to form runs. Runs can also be formed using wild cards as placeholders.
3. Keep track of what others are discarding: Pay attention to the cards that other players are discarding. If you see a card that you need to complete a meld, try to pick it up from the discard pile on your turn.
How to Score Points in Hand and Foot Card Game
Scoring points is an important aspect of the Hand and Foot card game. Here’s how points are scored:
1. Melds: Each meld on the table is worth a certain number of points. Sets are worth 100 points each, while runs are worth 200 points each. Wild cards used in melds do not count towards the point value.
2. Red threes: Red threes are special cards that are worth 100 points each. If a player has any red threes in their hand or foot pile at the end of the game, they must subtract 100 points from their score for each red three.
3. Black threes: Black threes are special cards that can be played during a player’s turn to freeze the discard pile. When a black three is played, the player must draw a replacement card from the draw pile and discard another card onto the discard pile.
4. Bonus points: Bonus points can be earned for going out, completing all the melds in your hand and foot piles, and for having no red threes in your hand or foot pile at the end of the game.
To calculate the final score, each player adds up the points from their melds, subtracts any points for red threes, and adds any bonus points. The player or team with the highest score wins the game.
Advanced Strategies for Winning Hand and Foot Card Game
To improve your chances of winning the Hand and Foot card game, here are some advanced strategies to consider:
1. Block opponents: Pay attention to the cards that your opponents are discarding and try to block them from picking up cards that they need. If you see a card that you know your opponent needs, consider picking it up from the discard pile even if it doesn’t help you form a meld.
2. Strategize with wild cards: Wild cards can be powerful tools in the game. Use them strategically to complete sets or runs, or to block your opponents from picking up cards they need. However, be mindful of using wild cards too early in the game, as they may be needed later on.
3. Manage your hand and foot piles: It’s important to balance your hand and foot piles throughout the game. Try to keep a good mix of cards in both piles to give yourself more options for forming melds. Avoid getting stuck with too many cards in one pile, as it can limit your ability to play.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Hand and Foot Card Game
While playing the Hand and Foot card game, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder your progress. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:
1. Holding onto too many cards: It can be tempting to hold onto cards in the hope of forming a big meld later on. However, holding onto too many cards can slow down your progress and make it harder to get rid of cards.
2. Ignoring the discard pile: The discard pile can be a valuable resource for picking up cards that you need. Don’t ignore it and always consider picking up cards from the discard pile, even if they don’t immediately help you form a meld.
3. Forgetting to keep track of points: Scoring points is an important part of the game, so make sure to keep track of your points throughout the game. Forgetting to score points for your melds or deducting points for red threes can significantly impact your final score.
Variations of Hand and Foot Card Game: Exploring Different Rules
The Hand and Foot card game has several variations that can add new twists and challenges to the game. Here are a few popular variations:
1. Straight Canasta: In this variation, players are not allowed to use wild cards in their initial melds. Wild cards can only be added to existing melds.
2. Dirty Canasta: In this variation, players are allowed to form melds with wild cards only. No natural cards are required.
3. No Pile: In this variation, there is no foot pile. Players only have a hand pile and must get rid of all their cards from their hand pile to go out.
4. No Discard Pick-up: In this variation, players are not allowed to pick up the discard pile. They can only draw from the draw pile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hand and Foot Card Game
Q: Can Hand and Foot be played with more than four players?
A: Yes, Hand and Foot can be played with three or six players as well. Three players can play individually, while six players can play in teams of three.
Q: Can I use more than three decks of cards in Hand and Foot?
A: While three decks are the standard for three or six players, you can use more decks if you prefer a longer game or have more players.
Q: Can I form melds with wild cards only?
A: In the standard rules of Hand and Foot, melds must include at least one natural card. However, in some variations of the game, such as Dirty Canasta, melds can be formed with wild cards only.
Q: Can I play Hand and Foot online?
A: Yes, there are several online platforms and apps that allow you to play Hand and Foot with friends or against computer opponents.
The Hand and Foot card game is a fun and strategic variation of Canasta that has been enjoyed by players for decades. By understanding the rules and strategies of the game, players can improve their chances of winning and have a great time playing with friends and family. So gather your decks of cards, find some willing opponents, and give Hand and Foot a try. You might just discover a new favorite card game.
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FAQs
What is the Hand and Foot card game?
The Hand and Foot card game is a popular variation of the classic card game Canasta. It is played with multiple decks of cards and can be played with 2-6 players.
What are the basic rules of Hand and Foot?
The basic rules of Hand and Foot involve players forming “melds” or sets of cards in their hand and on the table. The game is played in rounds, with each round consisting of a draw pile, a discard pile, and a play pile. The objective is to score points by forming melds and “going out” by getting rid of all the cards in your hand.
How many decks of cards are needed to play Hand and Foot?
Typically, Hand and Foot is played with four decks of cards, including jokers. However, some variations of the game may use more or fewer decks.
How many players can play Hand and Foot?
Hand and Foot can be played with 2-6 players, but is most commonly played with 4 players in teams of 2.
What is a “foot” in Hand and Foot?
In Hand and Foot, the “foot” refers to the second set of cards that players receive after they have played through their initial “hand” of cards. The foot is typically larger than the hand and is kept hidden until the player has used up all the cards in their hand.
What is a “meld” in Hand and Foot?
A meld in Hand and Foot is a set of three or more cards of the same rank, or a sequence of three or more cards in the same suit. Melds can be formed in a player’s hand or on the table, and are used to score points.
How is scoring done in Hand and Foot?
Scoring in Hand and Foot is based on the value of the cards in a player’s melds. Points are also awarded for going out, or getting rid of all the cards in your hand and foot. The game is typically played to a predetermined point total, such as 5,000 points.