PlaySambaOnline uses a traditional ruleset for Samba, a Canasta variant played with 3 packs and 6 Jokers (162 card). There are many rule variations - these are ours.
Rules & Flow
Total Draw
Draw 2 cards from the deck at the start of every turn. Discard 1 to end.
Meld Maybe
Meld if you can. Do it early with a partner to construct together, be more secretive in singles play - more below
Discard
Discard one card to end your turn. That's the basic flow draw/meld/discard.
Pick up the Pack
Take the whole discard pile, even if it's frozen, if you have a matching natural pair for the top card. This replaces drawing 2 cards from deck
Steal Top Discard
When the discard pile is not frozen, and the top card matches an existing meld, add it to the meld instead of drawing 2 cards.
Going Out
Empty your hand to go out. Requirement: Your team MUST have completed 2 Canastas/Sambas or 1 of each (2 total).
Going Out
Empty your hand to go out. Requirement: Your team MUST have completed 2 Canastas/Sambas or 1 of each (2 total).
The Winner
The game ends at the completion of a hand, if one or more teams exceed 10,000 points. If both teams pass 10,000, highest wins.
Wilds and Black 3's (Red 3's below)
Wilds 2's & Jokers
Discarding a wild freezes the discard pile. Use up to 2 wilds in a set meld, but never more than naturals.
Black 3's
Discarding a black 3 blocks discard pickup. A set of black 3's, without wilds, can be melded by a player going out that turn.
Types of Melds
Samba
1,500 PTSA sequence of 7 cards in the same suit (e.g., 6-7-8-9-10-J-Q of Spades). NO wild cards allowed.
Natural Canasta
500 PTSA set of 7 cards of the same rank (e.g., seven 5s) with NO wild cards.
Mixed Canasta
300 PTSA set of 7 cards of same rank including 1 or 2 wild cards (2s or Jokers).
Sequences & Sets
Build groups of 3+ cards. Sequences must be same suit (no wilds). Sets are same rank (up to 2 wilds).
Initial Meld Requirements
| Team Total Score | Minimum Points to meld |
|---|---|
| Below 0 | 15 Points |
| 0 to 1,495 | 50 Points |
| 1,500 to 2,995 | 90 Points |
| 3,000 to 6,995 | 120 Points |
| 7,000+ | 150 Points |
Tip: Red Threes don't count towards these initial points, only card values in melds.
Card & Scoring Values
Red Three Multipliers
- 1-5 Red Threes: 100 points each
- All 6 Red Threes: 1,000 points total
- If your team does not have at least 2 Canastas/Sambas or 1 of each, these are PENALTY points.