Why do we draw 2 cards?

[Jonhinch]

Hi

It is great to have Canasta on here. Can you explain why we are drawing 2 cards per go? I have never seen canasta played like that. Thanks

[ufm]

Because you are playing 2-player canasta, not 4-player canasta.

[rlees]

I think it's called two-handed canasta. We are used to playing with two players but only drawing one card. ?

[ufm]

In almost all credible rules sources I can find, each player draws 2 cards per turn in 2-player canasta.
Of course your mileage may vary, but 'I played like this for years' is not a valid argument because there are tons of variants in the world.

[Jonhinch]

Hi,

Very interesting. Thanks for the the replies. I wasn't intending to show any criticism, just curiosity as I have never know that variation.

I forgot I didn't own a set of Waddington canasta cards with the rulebook in myself. My mum has all three. I will have to try and look at them sometime.

The set I have are paitnik from Austria it seems and they claim a copyright of 1985. There is no mention of drawing 2 cards in them on two or three player variants. I also found a copy of the hoyle rules and they draw just one on a two player.

Karma games canasta on the kindle seems to have the option of 1 or 2 drawn cards.

Is it possible to make it an option for games here? I am not saying one way is right or wrong but it does change the feel of the game if you can expand your hand only be drawing and not taking the discard pile. 2 cards might indeed play better overall because some games you just can't get the discard pile. It would be great to have it on here both ways if it is not too much effort.

[ufm]

Rejected. I checked the table statistics, and all options which make the game considerably slower are very unpopular (<5% table share at best).
I will not add variants which are not major and do not improve the game significantly. I can't add all variants in the world, after all.

[cowpie]

That's disappointing to hear. I played Canasta with family since the 1970s, using the rules which were standard att that time, looks like these were the *Regency Club" rules. One card draw regardless of numbers of players. It would have been great to play the family this game again, now we are dispersed around the globe. Just one other option maybe "classic" Vs "modern"?

[ufm]

As above, no.

[Jonhinch]

OK my view that 2 cards makes the game quicker is wrong. Drawing 2 cards when you want to do a quick ending is a right pain as you can't avoid gaining a new card. It changes the whole dynamic of play and just feels wrong. I suppose I will have to go to the 4 player option but I am not sure why 2 and 3 player would want to have different strategies for going out.

It is such a shame to almost have Canasta on here.

I assume the 'Acaba' rule is not implemented either.

[ufm]

https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41175

'Acaba' rule you mentioned will not be added. It looks like an uncommon variant which is very prone to abuse.