how to play hand & foot card game

3 min read 23-01-2025

Hand and Foot is a fast-paced, rousing card game that combines elements of Rummy and Canasta. It's a game best enjoyed with friends and family, and once you learn the rules, you'll be hooked! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start playing.

What You'll Need to Play Hand and Foot

Two or more players: While you can play with two, the game is most enjoyable with three or four players.
Two standard decks of cards: Including Jokers.
A score pad and pencil: To keep track of everyone's score.

Gameplay Overview: Getting Started with Hand and Foot

The main objective of Hand and Foot is to meld your cards into sets (three or more of a kind) and runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit). You score points by melding cards and eventually going out (emptying your hand).

Dealing the Cards: Each player starts with 11 cards. The remaining cards form the stock pile. The top card of the stock is flipped over to start the discard pile.

The Deal: The dealer shuffles the cards and deals 11 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down to form the stock pile. The top card of the stock is turned face up to start the discard pile.

Melding: Players meld their cards into sets (three or more cards of the same rank) and runs (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit). Melds are placed face up on the table in front of the player.

Going Out: To go out, a player must meld all their cards and have no cards remaining in their hand.

Key Terms in Hand and Foot

Understanding these terms is crucial to mastering the game:

Meld: A set (three or more of a kind) or a run (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit).
Hand: The cards held by a player.
Foot: A separate meld area where players can place additional melds once they've melded a certain number of cards.
Canasta: A meld of at least seven cards of the same rank. Scoring big points!
Wild Cards: Jokers and twos are wild cards, used to complete melds.

How to Play Hand and Foot: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. The First Turn: Drawing Cards

On their turn, a player draws either the top card from the stock pile or the top card from the discard pile.

2. Building Melds: Sets and Runs

Players can add to existing melds or create new melds using the card they've drawn. Remember, melds must have at least three cards.

3. The Importance of the Foot

Once a player has melded a certain number of cards (the exact number varies depending on the ruleset being used), they can use their “foot.” This is a separate area to place additional melds. It is typically a larger meld, adding to the overall score.

4. Discarding a Card

After melding (or choosing not to meld), the player discards one card onto the discard pile.

5. Going Out

To go out, a player must meld all their cards and have no cards left in their hand. Going out early in the game is especially advantageous.

6. Scoring and Winning

Points are awarded for various actions. Check your specific rules for exact point values. Typically, high-value cards earn more points. The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined score, often 5000 or 10,000 points.

Common Hand and Foot Variations and Rules

Hand and Foot rules can vary slightly between groups. Before starting, it’s important to agree on these details:

Number of cards needed to unlock the Foot: Common numbers include 50 or 75 points.
Minimum number of cards required for a Canasta: While 7 is common, some groups use 5.
Point values for different cards: Jokers are frequently high point values.
Penalty points for going out with cards remaining in your hand.

Advanced Hand and Foot Strategies

Pick up the Discard Pile Carefully: Don't always grab the top card. Consider the cards already in the discard pile and how they might help your melds.
Plan Your Melds: Think ahead! Try to build melds strategically to maximize your score.
Manage Your Wild Cards: Use your Jokers and Twos wisely; they are invaluable for completing melds.
Don’t Be Afraid to Discard High-Value Cards: If you can't use a high-value card to complete a meld, discarding it might be the best option.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Hand and Foot

Hand and Foot is a game of strategy, luck, and a little bit of chaos. With practice, you'll learn to anticipate your opponents' moves, build effective melds, and ultimately, conquer the game. Grab your cards and start playing! You’ll quickly see why this classic card game holds so much appeal.