Video Conference Canasta

Introduction

Video Conference Canasta is a real-life card game adapted for play on video calls. Our goal is to bring Canasta to the virtual world while maintaining the integrity of the game. We created gameplay rules and procedures to play on a video call using real playing cards.

Canasta has many versions, each with its own rules and house rules variations. Our example game uses a common version of Canasta. The gameplay method can be adapted to your preferred version of the game. We do not explain rules unrelated to how to play on a video call.

Video Conference Canasta is played by 2 players from 2 locations or by 4 players from 2 locations with 2 players in each location. This step-by-step instruction guide includes Communications Device Set-Up, Gameplay Set-Up, Gameplay System, and Example Gameplay. We describe how to play with 4 players, then provide game variations for 2 players.

Game Set-Up

Each location's card-playing area doesn't need to be on camera unless required by a house rule. See "Communications Device Set-Up."

Video Conference Canasta uses a Card Bank system to simulate real-life play. The Card Bank is used to copy or mirror the cards played in each location. One player in each location manages the Card Bank.

Each team has a card-playing area in each location. Cards are placed in these areas as they are played. Both locations keep an identical copy of all cards that have been played. As cards are played in one location, identical cards are played from the Card Bank in the other location. This enables players to see all cards that have been played. These card-playing areas do not need to be on camera. The Packs and the Discard Piles are placed in a separate card-playing area where they can be seen on camera if desired.

Each location plays with 4 standard 52-card decks, 2 decks for gameplay, and 2 decks for the Card Bank. The Card Bank decks must have a different color than the gameplay decks to identify and separate the cards. Alternatively, 6 decks can be used in each location, 3 decks for gameplay, and 3 decks for the Card Bank.

Organize the Card Banks' cards at the beginning of each hand into 14 piles, one for each denomination and one for jockers. Place the piles face up in sequence for quick access.

Gameplay System

Our example game is played by 4 players from 2 locations with 2 players in each location. Players 1 and 2 are in Location A. Players 3 and 4 are in Location B. Players 1 and 3 are partners on the same team, and Players 2 and 4 are partners on the same team. Variations to gameplay for 2 players are provided in the "Game Variations" section.

Location A Player 1 Player 2

Location B Player 4 Player 3

Player 2 is sitting on the left of Player 1. Player 3 is considered to be on the left of Player 2. Player 4 is on the left of Player 3, and Player 1 is considered to be on the left of Player 4.

The players determine who will manage the Card Bank in each location, and who the Dealer is to start the game.

The Dealer deals cards from the gameplay decks to each player in their location and a flip card to start the Discard Pile. Their partner deals cards from the gameplay decks to each player in the other location. A card is not flipped in the other location as the Discard Pile is started through gameplay. The remaining gameplay cards become the Pack in each location. For Hand & Foot Canasta, the other players deal cards from the gameplay decks for the foot.

The player on the Dealer's left plays the first card to start gameplay, which then continues clockwise. Cards are placed in the player's card-playing area as they are played. Players verbally communicate the cards they are playing and where cards are placed relative to cards already played. At the end of their turn, players announce their discard and the number of cards remaining in their hands. At any time when requested, players must disclose the number of cards remaining in their hands.

Below is an example of gameplay. In our example game, Player 1 is the Dealer, and Player 2 is the first to play. Player 2 will be followed by Players 3, 4, 1, etc. In this example game, players cannot pick up the Discard Pile. Picking up the Discard Pile is discussed below.

Player 1:

Cards are dealt to each player as described above.

Player 2:

Player 2 starts their turn by picking the top two cards from the Pack and is able to meld.

Player 2 places their cards in the card-playing area for their team.

The Card Bank in Location B provides identical cards to Player 4, who places them in the card-playing area for their team. The cards are placed in the same combinations as in Location A. Players may talk to verify that played cards and combinations match in each location.

Player 2 ends their turn by making a discard to the Discard Pile.

Player 3:

Player 3 starts their turn by picking one card from the Pack and indicates that they wish to pick up Player 2’s discard and meld. Player 3 has the cards to be eligible to pick up the discard and meld.

Player 3 places their cards in the card-playing area for their team along with an identical discard provided by the Card Bank in Location B.

Player 2’s discard is given to Player 1, who places it in the card-playing area for their team along with the remaining identical cards provided by the Card Bank in Location A. The cards are placed in the same combinations as in Location B. Players may talk to verify that played cards and combinations match in each location.

Player 3 ends their turn by making a discard to start the Discard Pile in Location B.

Player 4:

Player 4 starts their turn by picking one card from the Pack, and Player 3’s discard. Player 4 has the cards to be eligible to pick up the discard.

Player 4 places their cards in the card-playing area for their team, then plays additional cards onto cards already played by Player 2.

The Card Bank in Location A provides identical cards to Player 2, who places them in the card-playing area for their team. The cards are placed in the same combinations as in Location B. Players may talk to verify that played cards and combinations match in each location.

Player 4 makes a discard to end their turn.

Player 1:

Player 1 starts their turn by picking one card from the Pack and indicates that they want Player 4’s discard. Player 1 has the cards to be eligible to pick up the discard.

Player 1 places their cards in the card-playing area for their team along with an identical discard provided by the Card Bank. Player 1 then plays additional cards onto cards already played by Player 3.

Player 4’s discard is given to Player 3, who places it in the card-playing area for their team along with the remaining identical cards provided by the Card Bank in Location B. The cards are placed in the same combinations as in Location A. Players may talk to verify that played cards and combinations match in each location.

Player 1 makes a discard to end their turn.

Player 2:

Player 2 starts their turn by picking one card from the Pack, and Player 1’s discard. Player 2’s team has played the cards to be eligible to pick up the discard.

Player 2 places the discard in the card-playing area for their team. Player 2 then plays additional cards onto cards already played by their team.

Player 2 then makes a discard to end their turn.

Player 3:

Player 3 starts their turn by picking one card from the Pack and indicates that they wish to pick up Player 2’s discard. Player 3’s team has played the cards to be eligible to pick up the discard.

The Card Bank in Location B provides an identical discard to Player 3, who places the card in the card-playing area for their team.

Player 2’s discard is given to Player 1, who places the card in the card-playing area for their team. The cards are placed in the same combinations as in Location B. Players may talk to verify that played cards and combinations match in each location.

Player 3 then makes a discard to end their turn.

Player 4:

Player 4 starts their turn by picking two cards from the Pack, then makes a discard to end their turn.

Gameplay continues until the hand is completed as per the rules of the game.

If a Card Bank can not provide matching cards, the Card Bank can take matching cards from the Discard Pile. If this occurs, all players have an equal opportunity to look at the Discard Pile cards in their location.

If the Pack in either location runs out of cards, players in the location with cards remaining in their Pack do not pick cards from the Pack. They are restricted to picking up discards (if eligible). The hand continues until a player is not eligible to pick up the discard, at which time the hand ends.

Picking the Discard Pile

In some versions of Canasta, a player can pick up the Discard Pile. If a player is eligible to pick up the Discard Pile, they may only pick up the Discard Pile in their location. The Card Bank does not provide matching cards for the Discard Pile in the other location, except for the last discard played (if applicable). Remove any Card Bank cards in the Discard Pile and return them to the Card Bank.

A house rule variation is when one team member picks up the Discard Pile, their partner can pick up the Discard Pile in the other location.

Game Variations

A 2-player game is played with the same gameplay system as the 4-player game, with the following variations:

Players play as individuals.

The Dealer deals cards to themself and a flip card to start the Discard Pile. The player in the other location deals cards to themself. For Hand & Foot Canasta, the players deal cards to themselves for the foot.

Players must manage the Card Bank in their locations and maintain a mirror copy of the cards played in the other location.

Game Flow Tips

Players should review the game's rules before learning to play on a video call.

Players can benefit from learning to play with the game set-up and rules in a real-life setting. To do this, players sit across a table with their own Card Bank, Pack, Discard Pile, and card-playing areas.

Each hand should have a coordinator or lead, such as the Dealer. The host of the video conference can also play this role.

When possible, match players and their devices on the screen consistent with the order of play.

A house rule to speed up play is that the Card Banks do not have to provide matching card suits for sets, and only match suits for most of the cards in a run. With this rule, players will not be able to keep track of cards still available for runs yet to be created or to be completed. This house rule is not recommended if tracking cards for runs are an important part of players’ gameplay strategy or version of the game.

House Rules Notes

We recommend that you document your house rules and game variations.

From The Author

Thank you for purchasing our book. We hope “Video Conference Card Games” bring you many hours of enjoyment with family and friends.

We invite you to join our regularly scheduled video conference card game events. Visit our website, subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on social media to learn about our card game events. We appreciate your reviews, likes, saves, and social media endorsements.

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