Hand and Foot is a fast-paced, exciting card game that combines elements of Canasta and Rummy. While the basic premise is straightforward, mastering the nuances of melds, melding strategies, and bonus scoring takes practice and a bit of cunning. This guide will walk you through the rules, ensuring you're ready to play like a pro.
What You'll Need to Play Hand and Foot
- Two or more players: While the game is best played with four players, you can play with two to six.
- Two decks of standard playing cards: Including two Jokers in each deck.
- A scoring pad and pencil: To keep track of everyone's scores.
The Goal of Hand and Foot
The primary objective of Hand and Foot is to be the first team to reach a predetermined score, typically 5,000 points. This is achieved by melding cards and going out.
Gameplay: Setting Up and Dealing
- Teams: Players typically divide into teams of two, but solo play is possible with adjusted rules.
- Dealing: Each player receives 11 cards. The remaining cards form the stock pile, and the top card of the stock is turned face up to start the discard pile.
- The "Hand" and the "Foot": This is where the game gets its name! To meld, you'll need a "Hand" (minimum 50 points) and a "Foot" (minimum 100 points).
Melding: The Heart of Hand and Foot
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Melds: Melds are sets of cards that are combined for points. They consist of:
- Sets: Three or more cards of the same rank (e.g., three 7s).
- Runs: Three or more cards of the same suit in sequence (e.g., 7, 8, 9 of hearts).
- Wild Cards: Jokers and any two's can be used as wild cards.
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Hand and Foot Requirement: Before you can go out, you must have a "Hand" meld (minimum 50 points) and a "Foot" meld (minimum 100 points) laid down on the table. These melds cannot be combined – they must be separate.
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Adding to Melds: After you've initially melded, you can add to your existing melds during your turn or later.
Taking Turns and Drawing Cards
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Drawing: On your turn, you start by drawing cards either from the stock pile or the discard pile. You can only take from the discard pile if you can add to your existing melds or form a new meld immediately.
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Discarding: After melding (or if you choose not to meld), discard one card onto the discard pile.
Going Out
To go out, you must:
- Have successfully melded your hand and foot.
- Played all the remaining cards in your hand.
Once a team goes out, the round ends, and points are calculated.
Scoring
Scoring involves adding up the points from your melds and any remaining cards. Cards are valued as follows:
- 2-10: Face value
- Jack, Queen, King: 10 points each
- Ace: 20 points
- Joker: 50 points
Bonus Points
There are many ways to earn bonus points in Hand and Foot, including:
- Going out Clean: Going out without drawing from the stock pile earns bonus points.
- Bonus for melding multiple cards: Melding several sets or runs at once earns bonus points.
- Bonus for melding Canasta: Melding at least seven cards of the same rank (Canasta) results in a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I meld a Canasta before completing my Hand and Foot?
Yes, you can meld a Canasta at any time during the game; however, to score the bonus, you must have completed your Hand and Foot melds before you go out.
What happens if I can't meld?
If you draw a card and cannot meld, you must discard a card without melding.
How many cards can I pick up from the discard pile?
You can only take cards from the discard pile if you can immediately use them to add to an existing meld. You cannot pick up the cards to plan for a future meld.
What happens if a team reaches 5000 points before another team?
The team who reaches 5000 points first wins the game!
This comprehensive guide should give you a solid understanding of the rules of Hand and Foot. Remember, practice makes perfect, so gather your friends and get playing! The more you play, the better you'll become at developing strategic melding techniques and maximizing your score.
