Hi Canasta Lovers,
Time to welcome many of my friends and followers back to Paradise. We seem to be in the middle of a heat wave here in South Florida, in fact we have broken temperatures records over the last week. Can not wear those pretty new cashmere's yet. While we cool off in the air conditioned card rooms there are a few things I'd like to discuss.
This week I gave my first supervised play lesson of the season. To begin I introduced a little warm-up exercise called "What Would You Do?" Together we go over possible opening hands and discuss the best play. One of my favorites starts out with 3 big Jokers, a deuce, three eights and assorted singletons, we discuss the possibility of melding with four wild cards. I am usually in favor of it at the beginning of the hand especially if you are having a "hot" day. Think twice about it if you are running cold. What do y'all think?
Next I want to remind all my followers that canasta, though a great game, is still only a game. If another player is not quite up to snuff, give her a chance to play and get better. I'm sure someone did the same for you.
In this year, leading up to the Presidential elections, I would like to suggest we leave our politics at home. Nothing good can come from discussing politics at the card table. You will never change anybody's mind and there will be a lot of hurt feelings and rancor along the way. Instead, talk about art, books, travel, golf, gardening or your brilliant grandchildren. Nobody ever gets tired of hearing about them.
One last item for today. It has been proposed that a new special hand be adopted; called "Super Pairs" it must include two big jokers, two deuces, two aces, two sevens and 3 other pairs. Great for those times that you have lots of points but can't pick that triple. I have sat like for a whole hand waiting for that three of a kind. Maybe tack on a 500 point bonus. Bring it up at your table and see what your friends are thinking. Would love to know if any tables adopt this new, cool hand.
Keep cool and keep in touch Canasta Goddesses.
Love,
Barbara
