Table Talk

Hi Canasta Lovers,

I don't think most canasta players realize how much the little comments, gestures and faces we all make can effect the way we play our favorite game. While playing last week, my RHO (right hand opponent) melded with kings, tens and sixes.  Her partner made a face and groaned, "oh no, we don't match at all." On my turn next and I knew just what to throw, a king, a ten or a six.  Too much table talk gave me an advantage I didn't expect.

In the next game one of the players, we'll call her Gabby, mumbled, "oh I have so many twos. Her partner took that to mean that she was holding a lot of deuces and so melded with her four jokers.  Gabby's turn again and she had no wild cards to give her partner. What happened? Gabby's unsolicited remark meant she had a lot of pairs!  Too much table talk cost that team 2000 points.  I'm sure you all have lots of examples of how table talk can change a hand .  Play smart don't do it!!!!

Paradise is moving north next week as Leni and I are off to the only dune ranch in Amagansett  (see blog 3/2/13) to meet up with the rest of the Rho Kappas for a week of canasta, shopping, beaching and eating. On the way we will stop in Great Neck and see if we can't straighten out those Long Island Princesses. My friends and I raised our children right there and they are all hard working, sensitive, and polite individuals who recognize that their actions and attitudes have a direct bearing on the world around them.   Off my soapbox....

and on to book reviews. I recently finished Khalid Hosseini's "And the Mountains Echoed," "The View from Penthouse B" by Eleanor Lippman and Jeanette Walls' "Silver Star". They are all character driven novels that I enjoyed and learned from. I hope you will too.

Stay in touch Canasta Goddesses,
Love, Barbara