Hi Canasta Lovers,
Last week I had the pleasure and privilege of teaching our favorite game to three generations of the same family. I met with the grandma, to whom I had given a lesson or two previously, the mom and dad who had also taken a few lessons with me earlier in the season and the newbies, their daughter, a charming young woman and her adorable boyfriend. They all caught on so fast that by the end of the session one team had made a joker canasta and the other team was just one queen away from making pairs ! (We all know how that feels.) They must have started playing on their own that evening as I woke up the next morning to two e-mailed questions, both regarding where and when you can add wild cards to a meld and continued playing on Saturday because more questions came in by phone on Saturday afternoon. I am so happy they are enjoying their new game. Next week they are off on a ski vacation and told me they are packing lots of cards along with their skis, boots and gloves. Have a great time on the slopes and see you when you return!
I want to thank you all for the wonderful feedback I have received from so many of you, I love the questions and the comments. It is the dialogue I had hoped to have when I started this blog. Just one little issue, if those of you who respond by E-mail would respond on the blog instead then everyone could get in on the conversation. (You can respond anonymously.) There is a box for comments at the bottom of the page. For quick responses I do check my E-mail often.
For those of you here in Paradise keep enjoying our wonderful weather, and for those of you up north, stay warm, spring is on its way. For all canasta goddesses keep playing our favorite game and please, please keep in touch.
Love,
Barbara
Monday, March 31, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Be nice to the newbies!
Hi Canasta Lovers,
Most of my Goddesses-in-Training are about ready to go out into Paradise and start playing canasta with the "big girls." They all seem to be very leery of this next phase of their metamorphosis. When I ask "why?" The majority answer that they are afraid of being "yelled at." Now I don't personally know any of these "yellers" but I do believe they are out there somewhere in the suburbs of Paradise. If you know any of these "Yellers" please tell them that canasta, as much fun as it is, is still just a card game. Everyone who comes to the table should have no other plan than to have a nice, relaxing, fun afternoon in the card room.
I teach all my students that if they signal sevens they promise to keep them for the entire hand, that their partner is depending on them, however, if your newbie partner splits her sevens to save a juicy pack, don't yell at her, don't roll your eyes and don't sneer. I'll bet you a nickel that at sometime you have done the same thing.
If your newbie partner adds her cards to your melds either too early or too late, understand it takes some people a little longer to get their rhythm just right. Talking too much during the hand can also be irritating and in some cases gives away too much information. KINDLY tell your newbie partner that there is plenty of time for questions and discussion after the hand.
If while you are playing you find yourself becoming annoyed with your newbie partner, wait until the end of the hand and the tell her GENTLY and with GOOD HUMOR what you might have done in her place. If you give the newbies a little time and encouragement they will turn out to be fine friends and fine players.
Remember every one of us was a newbie once and it was only through playing with the "big girls" that we all became the Goddesses that we now are.
Love to all, Barbara
Most of my Goddesses-in-Training are about ready to go out into Paradise and start playing canasta with the "big girls." They all seem to be very leery of this next phase of their metamorphosis. When I ask "why?" The majority answer that they are afraid of being "yelled at." Now I don't personally know any of these "yellers" but I do believe they are out there somewhere in the suburbs of Paradise. If you know any of these "Yellers" please tell them that canasta, as much fun as it is, is still just a card game. Everyone who comes to the table should have no other plan than to have a nice, relaxing, fun afternoon in the card room.
I teach all my students that if they signal sevens they promise to keep them for the entire hand, that their partner is depending on them, however, if your newbie partner splits her sevens to save a juicy pack, don't yell at her, don't roll your eyes and don't sneer. I'll bet you a nickel that at sometime you have done the same thing.
If your newbie partner adds her cards to your melds either too early or too late, understand it takes some people a little longer to get their rhythm just right. Talking too much during the hand can also be irritating and in some cases gives away too much information. KINDLY tell your newbie partner that there is plenty of time for questions and discussion after the hand.
If while you are playing you find yourself becoming annoyed with your newbie partner, wait until the end of the hand and the tell her GENTLY and with GOOD HUMOR what you might have done in her place. If you give the newbies a little time and encouragement they will turn out to be fine friends and fine players.
Remember every one of us was a newbie once and it was only through playing with the "big girls" that we all became the Goddesses that we now are.
Love to all, Barbara
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