Playing pony canasta
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381739)
Rockingham, Australia
August 17, 2024 8:16pm CST
I’ve started going to a canasta night once a week at the clubhouse. The version we play is called ‘pony’ canasta. We started off with 13 cards and, once we have one canasta, we can pick up our ‘pony’ which is another eleven cards.
As the game progresses, it’s easy to find yourself with a fistful of cards and it becomes more and more difficult to manage them all. Some handyman from the village has created the holders that you see in the photo. You do need to angle the board a little if you’re worried about your next-door neighbour seeing your cards but thankfully no-one is packing a gun (that’s a joke) and so far there have been no issues.
I’m encouraging Vince to play too. It would be a social evening for him. There isn’t a lot of conversation and not everyone talking at once so his increasing deafness wouldn’t impact on him so much.
15 people like this
14 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Aug 24
@kareng we did the same thing. When or kids were small and we had family reunions the cousins would play certain card games together.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
18 Aug 24
@JudyEv I wish that Bunco group would switch to Canasta. I find Bunco pretty boring actually. I don't think I am going to go anymore. Besides that 99 percent of the group live in another development, and all know each other from that. They are nice enough, but I don't fit in with them. I think I prefer the weirdos from the writing group.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
@snowy22315 I've been in a few groups where I haven't really fitted (fat?) in. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
There is a bit of strategy involved and some luck so it's a bit more interesting than some of the really easy games. But it's definitely not as hard as bridge. Do you ever play solitaire/patience online? That can get a bit addictive. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
18 Aug 24
We play a version called "hand and foot" but you have to use your entire hand before you pick up your foot. Thirteen cards in each. My sister-in-law's family plays hand, foot, and hiney. Three sets of thirteen. Bob is not wild about card games so I only get to play it when we go to Oklahoma.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
There seems to be so many versions of canasta. If I play, I like to know the rules right up front; maybe even written down, so there are no arguments along the way. Hand and foot sounds interesting, as does hand, foot and hiney.
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
He's all set to go. We've had two games and won one each and he has a good grasp of the rules. I just feel there won't be so much pressure on him to try to keep up with multiple conversations going on around him which is what can happen on our Friday social nights.
1 person likes this
@royaleagle (175)
•
18 Aug 24
Sounds interesting, I will learn from youtube tutorials for sure.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
You can learn just about anything from YouTube. It's very handy if you need some help or advice.
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Aug 24
Canasta is one game I've never played before but I'm sure it would be fun. I've played something long ago where your could look at another hand but your had to decide which one to play. I have no idea what that game was.
I hope everyone here is doing good. I'm still around. Still trying to design my books still playing to many games on my phone.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
Good to see your name again. I play too many games too - way too many but the last few days we've been watching a series that was on TV about 16 years ago. I guess it's slightly better than playing games.
I don't know the game you mention but it sounds interesting.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
18 Aug 24
I hope you can get Vince to play too. How is he feeling? How are you doing? Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 24
@LindaOHio The operation will now be September 6 so not much longer to wait. I'm coping okay thanks. I have a much less stressful time than you. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
19 Aug 24
@JudyEv I hope the growth is benign. How are you doing?
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
18 Aug 24
Never played it before. Sounds like a fun game.
1 person likes this
