How Do You Play the Card Game Hand and Foot? A Complete Guide

Hand and Foot is an exciting card game that combines elements of Rummy and Canasta. It’s a fun and strategic game often played in partnerships, making it a social activity that’s perfect for family gatherings or game nights with friends. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking for a refresher, this guide will take you through the rules and gameplay of Hand and Foot, ensuring you’re ready to compete and have a great time.

What You Need to Play

To get started, you’ll need the following:

Players: Ideally, Hand and Foot is played with four players, divided into two partnerships. However, it can accommodate more players by using additional decks and adjusting rules slightly.
Decks of Cards: The game requires between three to six standard decks of playing cards depending on the number of players. It’s generally recommended to use one deck more than the number of players.
Score Sheet: Prepare a sheet for keeping track of scores throughout the game.

Setting Up the Game

Deal Cards: Begin by drawing for the deal; the player with the highest card becomes the dealer. The dealer will distribute cards to each player. Each player receives eleven cards for their “Hand.” After the initial deal, players need to set aside another stack of eleven cards for their “Foot.”
Creating the Draw Pile: The remaining cards form a draw pile in the center. Flip the top card over to start the discard pile.

Objective of the Game

The main goal in Hand and Foot is to collect sets of cards to earn points. Throughout the game, players will discard cards from both their hands and feet to end their rounds successfully. The game consists of four distinct rounds, and your performance in each will contribute to your overall score.

How to Play

Starting the Game: The player with the highest card in their hand begins the first round. Play then proceeds in a clockwise direction.
Drawing Cards: On your turn, you must draw two cards from the draw pile. You can also pick up the top card from the discard pile provided you have at least two matching cards in your hand that can immediately meld.
Melding Sets: A meld consists of three or more cards of the same rank. Players can place melds on the table to earn points.
Announcing ‘Foot’: Once you’ve laid out all your cards from your hand, you can announce that you are playing your “Foot.” You will then pick up your next stack of eleven cards to continue your turn.
Discarding: Each turn ends with a discard. If a player lays out all their cards except one, they can discard that single card to end the round.

Scoring Points

Points are earned by forming melds, which can vary based on the number of cards melded and the specific ranks of those cards. Remember that Aces are considered high in this game.

Melds with Threes: These are often worth specific bonus points.
Special cards such as Jokers: These can be used as wild cards but may have a higher point penalty if not melded properly by the end of the game.

Ending a Round

A round concludes when a player discards their last card after playing all their melds. After that, players tally their points, and the cards are reshuffled for the next round.

Strategy Tips

Plan Your Melds: Focus on creating melds that will give you the most points while preserving cards that could serve as potential sets later in the game.
Watch Your Opponents: Keep an eye on what your opponents are drawing and discarding. This can give you hints about what they might be keeping or looking to build.
Balance Your Hand and Foot: Make sure to manage both your hand and foot. A poorly played foot could hinder your final results.

Final Thoughts

Hand and Foot is a fascinating card game filled with strategy, teamwork, and plenty of opportunities for interaction among players. As you learn and practice the game, you’ll find your own style and strategies that can lead your partnership to victory. Enjoy playing Hand and Foot, and may the best team win!