Case Solved: The Special Hand Dilemma
Recap of the Situation
Partner One melded — a clean, strategic move.
Their teammate drew the 14th card they’d been waiting for: the final piece of of their Special Hand, a Miami Pairs.
Then they noticed something, across the table, the opponents had started a Wild Card Canasta — but it wasn’t yet complete….
Do you declare the Special Hand now — or wait?
🔍 The Answer:
✅ The correct answer is: DECLARE the Special Hand.
Why You Must Declare:
- You have a valid Special Hand (Miami Pairs) — worth 2,500 points.
- Your opponents have an incomplete Wild Card Canasta, which will incur a –2,000 point penalty if the hand ends now.
- Declaring the Special Hand ends the hand immediately, before opponents get a chance to complete their Wild Canasta and finish the hand.
Total impact of declaring:
- Opponents: –2,000 points (for incomplete Wild Canasta)
- +2,500 points (your Special Hand)