What are black threes in Canasta?
If red threes are a gift, black threes are a tool. They are worth only five points each, but their power to block the discard pile makes them a defensive weapon.
The blocking effect
The two black threes are the three of clubs and the three of spades. When you discard a black three, it sits on top of the pile and stops the next player from taking it, no matter what they hold. The block lasts only for that one turn, but a well-timed black three can deny an opponent a pile they were counting on.
Melding black threes
Unlike other ranks, black threes cannot be melded during normal play. You may only lay down a meld of black threes on the very turn you go out, and that meld must be all natural cards, since black-three melds are not allowed to hold wild cards. Because of this, players tend to hoard a couple of black threes as safe cards to discard.
Using them well
Black threes are worth five points each, so they are cheap to keep in hand. The skill is in timing: hold one to throw when an opponent is about to pounce on a fat discard pile, and shed the rest before you go out so they do not clog your final meld. Late in a hand, a black three is often the safest possible discard.
The surest way to make this stick is to play a few hands. Try Italian Canasta or Pennies from Heaven against the computer, keep the Canasta rules and glossary handy for anything unfamiliar, and browse the rest of the Canasta FAQ for more answers. When you are ready, put it to the test on the daily deal.
Related questions
What do red threes do in Canasta?
Red threes are pure bonus cards. Each is worth 100 points, and holding all four is worth 800. Whenever you get a red three you place it face up immediately and draw a replacement from the stock. You never meld or discard them, but your side must have a canasta for them to count in your favor.
How do you take the discard pile in Canasta?
You take the discard pile by immediately using its top card in a meld. Either add it to a meld your side already has, or combine it with two matching cards from your hand to start a new meld. When you take the pile you get every card in it, but a frozen pile requires two natural cards from your hand.
How do you go out in Canasta?
You go out by getting rid of every card in your hand on one turn, but only if your partnership has already completed at least one canasta. You may meld, lay off onto existing melds, and finish with a final discard. Going out ends the hand immediately and earns a 100-point bonus.
What are the best Canasta strategy tips?
Strong Canasta play comes down to a few habits: aim for natural canastas when you can, control the discard pile by freezing it against opponents, keep safe cards like black threes to discard late, track which cards have gone, and only go out when the timing helps your side, not the opponents.