Our verdict: the best free site for full games of Canasta and Hand and Foot. World of Card Games deals you into a game against bots the moment the page loads, with no signup, and plays Canasta all the way to 5,000 points. You can join live players or open a private table for friends.
Best for: players who want a complete game, right now, without creating an account.
What Is World of Card Games?
World of Card Games is a free card-game website with 18 classics, from Hearts and Spades to Gin Rummy. It’s one of the busiest places to play Canasta online: by the site’s own count, about 1.3 million games of Canasta and 587,000 games of Hand and Foot have been played there.
Canasta
World of Card Games plays four-player Canasta in two partnerships, with partners sitting across from each other. The first team to 5,000 points wins, so you get a real evening’s game rather than a single hand.
A game takes around 36 to 37 minutes on average, according to the site. If you need a refresher on the rules, see our Canasta Rules.
Hand and Foot
Hand and Foot uses five decks plus jokers, 270 cards in all, for four players in two teams. Each player gets an 11-card hand and a 13-card foot. Books are seven-card melds: clean books score 500, dirty books 300, and a book of seven wild cards 1,500.
To go out here, your team needs at least two clean books, two dirty books and one wild book. Not every family plays with a wild-book requirement, so check it against your house rules. A game takes about an hour. Our Hand and Foot Rules and Hand and Foot Scoring cover the common variations.
Playing Bots, Live Players and Friends
The page starts you straight away with three bots, one of them as your partner, so you can practise immediately. When you’re ready, you can team up with other players online.
To play with friends, host a table, switch on “Private table” and share the link; friends can also join by typing the table name. Bots fill any empty seats, so two friends can play a four-player game together.
You only need an account to keep long-term stats or play ranked games.
Is World of Card Games Free?
Yes. Canasta and Hand and Foot are free in your browser, with no download and no signup. The site shows ads, which is how it stays free. You can play Canasta on World of Card Games or play Hand and Foot straight away.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free, no signup, no download
- Full Canasta games to 5,000 points
- Hand and Foot with five decks and jokers
- Bots, live players or private tables
- Bots fill empty seats, so two friends can play
- Ranked games and stats with a free account
Cons
- Shows ads
- Four-player partnership games only
- Hand and Foot requires a wild book to go out, which may not match your house rules
- No Modern American Canasta
Who Should Play on World of Card Games?
It’s the best pick if you want a full game of Canasta to 5,000 points without signing up, or a long game of Hand and Foot with friends. It’s also the easiest way for just two people to play a four-player game, with bots in the other seats.
If you’re still learning and want hints, or you play Modern American Canasta, look at the alternatives below.
Alternatives to World of Card Games
- Tableza: our top pick, with Canasta and Hand and Foot, three computer levels, hints in Canasta and no ads. Read our Tableza Review.
- Canasta Junction: the home of Modern American Canasta, with live games and daily tournaments (paid membership). Read our Canasta Junction Review.
- Extreme Hand and Foot: an iPhone and iPad app with rules you can customize. Read our Extreme Hand and Foot Review.
See every option compared in our Play Canasta Online guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is World of Card Games Canasta free?
Yes. You can play free in your browser with no download and no account.
Can two people play Canasta on World of Card Games?
Yes. Open a private table for the two of you, and bots fill the other two seats.
How long does a game take?
About 35 minutes for Canasta and about an hour for Hand and Foot, by the site’s own figures.
Can I play Hand and Foot with friends there?
Yes. Host a private table and share the link.
Do I need an account?
No. An account is only needed for long-term stats and ranked games.
