The Canasta School

Here are some canasta terms that you need to know whenever playing canasta. Remember that the below canasta glossary is not a complete glossary because there are some terms that are specific to different variations of the game. Let us take a look at the most common canasta glossary terms that you will need to know. Take also a look at the canasta history page.

•    Base – This is essential when making a canasta and means 4 natural cards that have the same value

•    Black Canasta – One canasta that includes a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 wild cards

•    Black Three – A three card of clubs or spades. They are highly important as you cannot meld them and will always be safe discards as it will stop the opponent from picking up a pile.

•    Canasta – The name of the game and also the meld of 7 matching cards.

•    Concealed – A term used when going out concealed

•    Forced – You are forced to pick up a discard pile in the event that you can do that.

•    Frozen – This is a term that will refer to a discard pile a player will not be able to take out unless they have a pair that is natural.

•    Game – The term used for a specific point value, usually over 5000.

•    Going Out (also known as Going Out Unconcealed) – The process of getting rid of all the cards that you have. There is also the possibility of going out concealed. In this case you will get rid of all the cards in just 1 run, thus gaining double the bonus value offered by regularly going out.

•    Initial Meld – Meld number one that is made by a team

•    Minimum Count – As the game progresses there will be a minimum point value that has to be achieved with the initial meld.

•    Mixed Canasta – The canasta that has 1 to 3 wild cards.

•    Natural – A card that is not a wild card.

•    Natural Canasta – A canasta that includes no wild cards, also known as Pure Natural.  We also have the Red Canasta term to describe the exact situation.

•    Stop Card – A wild card that is discarded or a black three when discarded.

By knowing all the terms in the canasta glossary above you will be able to understand everything that happens. In the event that you do not understand one that is used at any point in time you should ask and you will receive an answer.