Hand and Foot is a fast-paced, exciting card game that combines elements of Rummy and Canasta. Its popularity stems from its blend of strategy, chance, and social interaction. This comprehensive guide will cover the rules, variations, and strategies to help you master this engaging game.
What You Need to Play Hand and Foot
- A standard deck of 52 cards: Two decks are typically used.
- Jokers: Two jokers per deck are also used. Many players opt for wild cards in place of jokers, often using the two cards designated as wild from the card pack.
- Players: Ideally, 2-6 players can enjoy this game, although 4 is considered the optimal number for gameplay.
- Scoring pad and pencils: To keep track of individual scores.
How to Play Hand and Foot: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. The Deal:
Each player receives 11 cards at the beginning of a game. The remaining cards form the stock pile, which is placed face down in the center of the playing area, alongside a discard pile. The top card of the stock pile is flipped over to start the discard pile.
2. The Gameplay:
The first player draws a card either from the stock pile or the discard pile. The goal is to meld cards (groups of three or more cards of the same rank or sequences of at least three cards of the same suit). Melds can be created with natural cards (the cards you have in your hand) or wild cards (jokers).
Players then try to create "melds" - these can be:
- Sets: Three or more cards of the same rank (e.g., three sevens).
- Runs: Three or more cards of the same suit in sequential order (e.g., 7, 8, 9 of hearts).
Once a player has made a meld, they lay them face up on the table. In hand and foot, you must have a minimum meld score to go out. Many sets of rules set this minimum at 50.
3. Going Out:
To "go out," a player must meld all their cards. This can include going out with a "clean hand" (no cards in your hand) or with a "dirty hand" (cards still in your hand, but all cards are melded).
4. Scoring:
Points are awarded for the cards melded (value of the card) and any cards remaining in the player's hand after they have gone out.
5. Game Progression:
The game continues until a player successfully melds all their cards and goes out. Then, players score the round based on melds created and cards left in their hands, and points are accumulated over multiple rounds. Typically, the first player to reach a predetermined score (e.g., 5000) wins the game.
What Happens When Someone Goes Out?
Once a player goes out, the round ends. The score is tallied for the players.
Scoring Details:
- Melds: Cards in the melds are added together. Aces are worth 20 points each. Tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings are each worth 10 points. The rest of the cards are worth their face value. Jokers (wild cards) are worth 50 points each.
- Hand Cards (If not melded): Cards left in the player's hand after melding are subtracted from the total meld score.
- Bonus: Players may receive bonuses for having certain card combinations. This is often decided by the rules in advance of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the differences between Canasta and Hand and Foot?
Hand and Foot is essentially a more complex version of Canasta. While they share the concept of melding cards, Hand and Foot introduces the "Hand" and "Foot" requirements, requiring players to meld a certain number of cards before being able to fully participate in the game. It generally includes more wild cards (jokers) and has more complex scoring rules.
How many cards do you need to meld to go out?
There isn't a fixed number of cards to meld to go out. The key requirement is that you have all your cards melded. You can go out with all your cards in melds and no cards left in your hand (a “clean hand”), or with all cards melded but still holding cards.
Can you draw from the discard pile in Hand and Foot?
Yes, players can draw from either the stock pile or the discard pile. However, there are often strategies involved in choosing which pile to draw from.
What happens if you go out with a clean hand?
Going out with a clean hand (no cards remaining in your hand after melding) usually results in bonus points, enhancing your final score. The exact bonus will be dependent on the specific ruleset you are using.
How many rounds are there in a Hand and Foot game?
The number of rounds in a Hand and Foot game isn't fixed. The game ends when one player reaches a predetermined score.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the rules for Hand and Foot. Remember that specific house rules may vary, so it's important to clarify any ambiguities before starting a game. Enjoy playing!
