Ultimate Guide to Modern Canasta, Second Edition (Paperback)

Learning to play Canasta is fun, but it can also be challenging. This Ultimate Guide to Modern Canasta was designed by veteran instructors and founders of the Canasta League of America (CLA) and Canasta Junction. The book helps novice players to understand concepts simply and clearly and introduces new strategy concepts to intermediate and advanced players. To make things easier, short chapters identify major concepts, followed by review questions to help test your knowledge of the subject matter covered.

The book is divided into five parts: The Basics, Advanced Play, Competitive Play Options, Alternative Play Options and Reference Tools. Readers can go at their own pace, with the chapters designed to be completed in one sitting.

This is the only Canasta book that has the backing of the Canasta League of America. It utilizes the current Rules and Standards determined by the CLA.

Readers will also find it useful to download the Canasta Junction app, a free app approved by the CLA, which allows players to practice the concepts outlined in this book. When you are ready, move from practicing on the app to playing open hands with friends. This will help you to fully understand the nuances of the game.

Sue and Alan Silberstein have almost 150 years of combined experience playing Canasta. Sue started playing when she was ten and Alan began playing at age thirteen when his mother needed a fill-in for her regular game. After working and raising their children, Sue and Alan retired to South Florida, where they started teaching Canasta to their friends. Eventually, they turned their hobby into a business to help everyone play this fun and social game with confidence. However, they noticed that players often picked and chose which rules to follow. As a result, in 2012, Sue and Alan founded the Canasta League of America (CLA) and began to standardize the regulations for playing Canasta. In addition, the CLA provided a place for members to receive newsletters, supplies, event information and playing advice. Under Sue and Alan's direction and expertise, the CLA produced a rule book that became the standard for Modern Canasta. Subsequently, they authored a strategy book. Shortly after that, they developed the concept of a Canasta App. By 2015, the first edition of Canasta Junction (CJ) was released for Apple, Android, Kindle, Mac and PC devices. After additional testing and further development, CJ became the Official App of the Canasta League. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the app saw viral success and was listed in Apple's Top Ten Card Games for over eighteen months. In late 2020, Sue and Alan sold their interests in CLA and CJ to 52 Entertainment, a leading e-gaming company. However, they have remained on board as consultants and recognized experts in Canasta. They continue to contribute content to the CLA newsletters, advise on enhancements to the CJ app, test new versions and work on other Canasta innovations. Sue and Alan have taught over 5,000 players in person and on Zoom. In addition, they continue to encourage Canasta enthusiasts to socialize, challenge themselves and have fun through the various Canasta avenues they created, including the Canasta League of America, Canasta Junction and Canasta University.

Jennifer Jackson-Strage is a London native who moved to New York City for her education, where she earned a BA and MPA from Barnard College and Columbia University. After completing her studies, she relocated to South Florida with her husband. In 1998, Jennifer founded BusiWerks, a consulting firm that helps clients use technology to improve their lives and expand their businesses. Through BusiWerks, Jennifer met and worked with Sue and Alan Silberstein for over a decade, helping to bring their entrepreneurial ideas for Canasta to fruition. Jennifer created websites and content for CLA, CJ and CU. She was a member of the original writing team for the CLA Standard Rules and Instruction Books and the CLA Strategy Guide and has participated in Canasta Tournaments and Retreats. She introduced Sue and Alan to the developer who would write the original CJ program. She wrote, developed and created all the instructional videos for Canasta Junction and, alongside Sue and Alan, provided Customer Support for the app through 2022. In addition to this success with Canasta, Jennifer has made a name for herself helping clients bring their dreams to life. Another standout achievement was the development and launch of The Bed Tucker, a revolutionary tool that allows users to make beds without lifting the mattress. Created by her then 89-year-old client, The Bed Tucker gained popularity in the hospitality industry and even caught the attention of Tik Tok users, going viral on the platform. Packaged by the ARC's special needs adults, The Bed Tucker is available on Amazon. With the publication of this book, Jennifer continues the literary legacy of her father, who has written numerous consulting books, a family biography and two poetry books.