Definition & Meaning of "Canasta"

What is "Canasta"?

Canasta is a card game that originated in Uruguay in the 1930s and became popular worldwide by the mid-20th century. It is usually played with two to six players using two standard decks of cards, including the jokers. The goal is to score points by forming sets of seven cards of the same rank, called "canastas," while also creating other combinations of cards. Players take turns drawing and discarding cards, and they can also take the discard pile under certain conditions. The game ends when one player or team reaches a predetermined score, typically 5,000 points.