50 Ways To Play Canasta. With Apologies To Paul Simon. Sing Along!

The other night Barb and I began teaching some good friends Canasta. For those of you who don’t know, it is an old card game that has regained popularity. It’s played with two decks of cards, a scorepad, and lots and lots of rules, many of which seem entirely arbitrary. “House rules” are also a staple. It’s a tough game to learn, so I thought I would teach it with a song.

Beth and Ira, this one’s for you.

(To the tune of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover)

[Verse 1] To play this card game is not really hard, you'll see.
You're dealt ten cards and then you get another three
And with luck the cards you get aren't too crappy,
There must be 50 rules to play Canasta.
50 rules to play Canasta.

[Verse 2] I said "it's seven of a kind that you must get.
Your partner joins you, in your quest to make a set.
It's not a solo game it's more of a duet."
There must be 50 ways to win Canasta.
50 ways to win Canasta.

[Verse 3] There's lots of  wild cards that can help you in your quest.
The twos and Jokers, they can get you to the crest.
Put them together and that's probably the best!
There's 50 ways to win Canasta.
50 ways to win Canasta

[Chorus] Put your cards in your rack, Mack.
Don't show me your hand, Jan.
That's a good ploy, boy.
Play your aces with glee.
Don't make a big fuss, Russ
It's not mysterious, just
Drop off your threes, Bea.
That's the way it must be.

Put your cards in your rack, Mack.
Don't show me your hand, Jan.
That's a good ploy, boy.
Play your aces with glee.
Don't make a big fuss, Russ
It's not mysterious, just
Drop off your threes, Bea.
That's the way it must be.

[Verse 4] I said don't play those sevens, girl, you'll just get screwed
They'll count against you and you'll be in a foul mood.
The risk ain't worth until more sevens you've accrued,
There's 50 ways to lose Canasta.
50 ways to lose Canasta.

[Verse 5] "A special hand is what I want to get," she said.
"If you don't make it--go home with someone else instead."
It doesn't matter if your cards are black or red.
There must be 50 ways to lose Canasta.
50 ways to lose Canasta.

[Verse 6] Perhaps it's best to stick to tiles and to Mah Jongg.
No partner yelling if perchance you get it wrong.
Plenty of direct flights go from here into Hong Kong
There's 50 ways to quit Canasta.
50 ways to quit Canasta.

[Chorus]Put your cards in your rack, Mack.
Don't show me your hand, Jan.
That's a good ploy, boy.
Play your aces with glee.
Don't make a big fuss, Russ
It's not mysterious, just
Drop off your threes, Bea.
That's the way it must be.

Put your cards in your rack, Mack.
Don't show me your hand, Jan.
That's a good ploy, boy.
Play your aces with glee.
Don't make a big fuss, Russ
It's not mysterious, just
Drop off your threes, Bea.
That's the way it must be.

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