Customer Reviews

Canasta Caliente 50th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the way Canasta was always meant to be- with custom, colorful cards that make you feel like you're playing the game on a beach in Rio. And because Canasta originated in South America, the cards (and rules) are bilingual, so you'll pick up a bit of Spanish as you play. Each card vividly portrays its role and states its scoring value, avoiding the tedium of teaching the game to new players using regular playing cards. And the great thing about Canasta is that it is exciting for everyone, not just for those who experienced the explosion of the game's popularity many years ago. The "Caliente" variation makes for even more exciting play, while the regular game is completely authentic. The rules refer you to the game's web site where you can download scoresheets, learn the game's fascinating history, play challenge hands and get answers and tips on play. The cards are also very durable. Great fun!

When I was a kid, we played canasta often. Teaching the game tonew players, though, was always a challenge. This special deck ofcards makes it much easier to master the mechanics of the game.

Each card's value is clearly denoted and color-coded (5-point cards are green, 10-point cards are red, Aces [20 points] are blue, and wild cards are rainbow colors). Because sequences (runs) are not counted in canasta, the publisher has eliminated suits. Finally, this canasta deck has made it easy for the beginner to remember cards with special functions (i.e., rather than black and red treys, this deck has "stop" and "bonus" cards). The deck is beautifully designed with a South American motif. Included are reference cards to help compute scores.

My mother and I played canasta twice last week: once with a standard deck and once with this deck. We both thought this version made the game more fun and easier to play.

Experienced canasta players will be pleased that the basic rules of the game are unchanged from the 1950's version. An alternative version using the caliente card is also described... EN

This is the way Canasta was always meant to be, with custom canasta cards that vividly portray the role of each. The graphics are striking; they'll make you feel you're on a beach in Rio. Since the game came from South America, the cards (and rules) are bilingual, so you'll even learn a bit of Spanish while playing. Best of all, canasta is for everyone, not just the players who grew up with this rummy-like game when it exploded across the country years ago. It's exciting to score big by forming several "Canastas" and by claiming the Prize pile many times during each hand. The rules direct you to its web site where you can find loads of canasta info, including tips on winning, Q&A's, challenges and the game's fascinating history. Cool stuff. And the cards are durable, too.

I have never been able to figure out how to play this game. It has been stored since I got it.

I grew up in Wisconsin, on those cold winter nights there was nothing better than getting together with family & friends for a good game or two of Canasta. While browsing the web saw Canasta on toys at Amazon.com, bought it and have enjoyed playing it again. We introduced it to our kids and grandkids and they often choose it over TV. After fifty (50) years it's still fun, like reuniting with an old friend!!!