Hand & Foot: Play Online for Free (Solo & Multiplayer)

Hand & Foot is a captivating rummy-style card game that adds unique twists to the classic Canasta formula. This 4-player partnership game challenges you to work through two separate hands of cards while creating melds and completing piles. With its distinctive wild pile mechanic and multi-deal structure, Hand & Foot offers deep strategic gameplay that rewards careful planning and teamwork.

Play free Hand & Foot online against the computer, team up with other players online, or create a private table for you and your friends.

Rules

New to Hand & Foot? We recommend checking out our comprehensive guide on how to play Hand & Foot, which includes an interactive tutorial to help you learn the game. For those just looking for a quick review of the rules, here's what you need to know!

Hand & Foot is played over four deals with fixed meld requirements. Each player receives 11 cards for their "hand" (played first) and 13 cards for their "foot" (remains hidden until the hand is depleted). The game uses five complete decks including Jokers (270 cards total).

During your turn, you draw two cards from the stock or take the top seven cards from the discard pile (if you can immediately meld the top card). You can then create melds of 3-7 cards of the same rank, using wild cards (2s and Jokers) as needed. To go out and end a deal, your team must complete at least 2 clean piles (no wilds), 2 dirty piles (with wilds), and 1 wild pile (all wilds).

Key differences from Canasta include:

• Two separate hands per player (hand and foot)
• Draw 2 cards instead of 1
• Take only top 7 cards from discard pile (not entire pile)
• Wild piles (all wild cards) worth 1,500 points
• Fixed meld requirements per deal (50, 90, 120, 150 points)
• Winner determined by highest score after 4 deals

Strategy

Success in Hand & Foot requires balancing immediate needs with long-term planning across multiple deals. Understanding when to save cards for your foot and how to manage wild cards effectively often determines the winner.

Managing Two Hands:

The unique two-hand structure creates interesting strategic decisions. Try to keep pairs in your hand that might be useful when you reach your foot. Avoid depleting your hand too quickly unless you're confident about what's in your foot. Consider saving wild cards for your foot phase when possible.

Focus on completing the required piles efficiently. Wild piles are worth 1,500 points but require seven wild cards - decide early whether to pursue one. Clean piles score more than dirty ones, but dirty piles offer more flexibility. Track which pile types your team still needs to complete.

Partnership and Drawing:

Communication through play is crucial. Watch your partner's melds and discards carefully. If your partner is in their foot and you're not, avoid completing piles that might help them. Coordinate who will collect wild cards for the required wild pile.

The choice between drawing two cards or taking seven from the discard pile is critical. Taking the pile gives more cards but requires specific conditions. Consider whether the extra cards justify revealing your strategy. Use black 3s strategically to block opponents from valuable piles.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between hand and foot?

Your "hand" is the first set of 11 cards you play. Your "foot" is a second set of 13 cards that remains face-down until you've played all cards from your hand. You cannot look at your foot until your hand is empty.

How do wild piles work?

Wild piles consist of exactly seven wild cards (2s and/or Jokers) and are worth 1,500 points. You must complete at least one wild pile to go out. They're valuable but require collecting many wild cards.

What are the going out requirements?

To go out, your team must have completed at least 2 clean piles (no wilds), 2 dirty piles (with wilds), and 1 wild pile. Your partner must have picked up their foot, and you must ask for and receive their permission.

How does scoring work across deals?

Each deal has a minimum meld requirement (50, 90, 120, 150 points). After each deal, teams score for completed piles, melded cards, and bonuses, minus cards left in hand/foot. The team with the highest total after 4 deals wins.

Can I pick up the entire discard pile?

No, unlike Canasta, you can only take the top 7 cards from the discard pile (or all cards if fewer than 7 are present). You must be able to immediately meld the top card with two matching cards from your hand.