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Canasta Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz on the game of Canasta and some of its variations. If you have never played this game then be warned you will need an in-depth knowledge to answer some of the questions.

A multiple-choice quiz by Smudge111. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Smudge111

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
345,000

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
217

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The game of Canasta was invented by Segundo Santos and Alberto Serrato in 1939.
In what country did the game originate? Hint

Uruguay

Venezuela

Brazil

Argentina

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Question 2 of 10

2. Canasta reached the United States in 1948 and the 'Rules' were published in a book by Ottilie H Reilly in 1949. What is the title of this book? Hint

Uruguyan Rummy

Bolivian Rummy

Argentine Rummy

Venezuelan Rummy

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the Bolivian variation, cards are melded in the same way as the classic game. What types of meld are additionally used in Bolivia that are not used in the classic game? Hint

Wild card and Sequence.

Natural and Unnatural.

Sequence and Natural.

Unnatural and Sequence.

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Question 4 of 10

4. All cards carry a point value. What is the point value of a Joker? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many decks are used in the Bolivian variation of Canasta? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many canastas must a team or individual have to go out in the Bolivia and Samba variations? Hint

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Question 7 of 10

7. In Bolivia, how many points must a team/individual score to win the game? Hint

12,000

20,000

10,000

15,000

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the options listed is a variation of Canasta? Hint

Head and Hand

Hand and Foot

Head and Foot

Head and tail

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Question 9 of 10

9. The number of cards dealt to each player/team depends on which variant is being played. How many cards are dealt in the Bolivia variant when 3 players are playing? Hint

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Question 10 of 10

10. What name is given to a wild card canasta? Hint

Bolivia

Brazilian

Samba

Chilean

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The game of Canasta was invented by Segundo Santos and Alberto Serrato in 1939. In what country did the game originate?

Answer: Uruguay

Canasta, a member of the rummy family of games, is designed for 2-6 players but most commonly played by 4 players with partners sitting opposite each other.

2. Canasta reached the United States in 1948 and the 'Rules' were published in a book by Ottilie H Reilly in 1949. What is the title of this book?

Answer: Argentine Rummy

There are many variations of rules for Canasta depending on which variant you are playing. Classic Canasta uses 2 decks of cards, with jokers, whereas the Bolivian variant uses 3 decks and requires teams to meld at least 1 sequence canasta (e.g. 4-10) to go out.

3. In the Bolivian variation, cards are melded in the same way as the classic game. What types of meld are additionally used in Bolivia that are not used in the classic game?

Answer: Wild card and Sequence.

A wild card canasta, (a bolivia), consists of Jokers and 2s and scores 2,500 points. A sequence canasta consists of sequential cards (e.g.: 4-10 all same suit) and scores 1,500 points. A natural canasta consists of 7 cards of the same rank and scores 500 points and an unnatural canasta consists of a mixture of cards of the same rank and wild cards, scoring 300 points.

4. All cards carry a point value. What is the point value of a Joker?

Answer: 50

Jokers are worth 50 points, 4-7 5 points, 8-king 10 points and aces and 2s 20 points. Red 3s are worth 100 points each, if all 4 are held the point value is doubled in classic, if all 6 are held a bonus 400 points is added in the Bolivian variation. Black 3s have a point value of 5 and cannot be melded unless an individual or team is going out but, they can be used to freeze the discard pile. Any red 3s left in hand carry a penalty value of 100 points.

5. How many decks are used in the Bolivian variation of Canasta?

Answer: 3

Three decks with Jokers are used in Bolivia totaling 162 cards. There is also samba with 3 decks and Chilean Canasta with 3 or 4 decks.

6. How many canastas must a team or individual have to go out in the Bolivia and Samba variations?

Answer: 2

To go out in Bolivia or Samba each team/individual must have at least 2 canastas and one of these must be a sequence canasta.

7. In Bolivia, how many points must a team/individual score to win the game?

Answer: 15,000

Classic Canasta is played to 5,000 and Samba to 10,000. There are several different variations of Canasta which require differing point scores to win the game.

8. Which of the options listed is a variation of Canasta?

Answer: Hand and Foot

Hand and Foot was born in the 1970's and has many rules differing from most variations of the game. Typically played by 2 teams of 2 players, the number of decks used is normally 1 more than the number of players although there are variations to this.

9. The number of cards dealt to each player/team depends on which variant is being played. How many cards are dealt in the Bolivia variant when 3 players are playing?

Answer: 13

Each player receives 13 cards at the commencement of Bolivia (3 players),
15 cards (2 players) and 11 cards (4 players and above).

10. What name is given to a wild card canasta?

Answer: Bolivia

A bolivia is a wild card canasta comprising jokers and 2s. A samba or sequence canasta is used in both the Samba and Bolivian variants.

Source: Author Smudge111

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
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