Card Game Hand And Foot Rules

Hand and Foot Card Game Rules: A Comprehensive Guide

Hand and Foot is a fast-paced, exciting card game that combines elements of Canasta and Rummy. It's a game best enjoyed with a group of friends, demanding strategy, teamwork (in partnership), and a bit of luck. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the rules, ensuring you're ready to play your first (or next!) game. This guide covers the basic rules and variations, making it a great resource for both beginners and experienced players.

What You'll Need:

• Two standard 52-card decks
• Two Jokers (one per deck)
• At least four players (best played with four to six players, in partnerships of two)
• Scorepad and pencils

The Goal of the Game:

The goal of Hand and Foot is to be the first partnership to reach a predetermined score, typically 5000 points. Points are earned by melding cards (creating sets of matching cards) and going out (emptying your hand).

Card Values:

• Aces: 20 points
• Kings, Queens, Jacks, Tens: 10 points each
• Nines through Twos: Face value
• Jokers: 50 points

Gameplay:

1. Dealing the Cards: Each player is dealt 11 cards. The remaining cards form the stock pile. The top card of the stock pile is turned face up to start the discard pile.

2. Melding: Players must meld cards into sets. There are two types of melds:

   • Sets: Three or four cards of the same rank (e.g., three Queens or four Sevens).
   • Sequences (Runs): At least three cards of the same suit in sequence (e.g., 3, 4, 5 of Hearts).

3. The "Hand" and "Foot": This is where the game gets its name. Players must have a "hand" (at least 50 points in melds) before they can lay down their "foot" (any additional melds).

4. Drawing Cards: A player begins their turn by drawing either the top card from the stock pile or the top card from the discard pile.

5. Discarding: After melding and/or playing cards, the player discards one card onto the discard pile.

6. Going Out: A player "goes out" by melding all their cards and discarding their last card. A partnership can only go out if both partners have at least a "hand" (50 points in melds laid).

Scoring:

• Melds: Points are tallied based on the values of the cards in each meld.
• Going Out: Bonus points are awarded for going out (usually 100 points).
• Canasta Bonuses: A Canasta (seven or more cards of same rank) gives a bonus of 500 points.

Variations and Advanced Rules:

• Red Threes: These cards can be used to draw additional cards.
• Wild Cards: Jokers and red twos are typically wild cards and can be used to complete melds.
• Picking up the Discard Pile: Specific conditions and limits can be placed on picking up the discard pile.

Winning the Game:

The first partnership to reach the agreed-upon score (often 5000 points) wins the game.

Tips for Playing Hand and Foot:

• Strategic Melding: Plan your melds carefully. Focus on creating high-scoring melds and canastas.
• Discard Wisely: Don’t discard cards that your opponent might need to complete a meld.
• Observe Your Opponent: Pay attention to what your opponents are melding. This can help you predict what cards they need.

Hand and Foot is a complex game with many nuances. This guide provides a solid foundation; mastering the game comes with practice and experience. So gather your friends, shuffle the cards, and enjoy the excitement of Hand and Foot!