Case Solved: To Pick or Not to Pick?
In Case #005, you were sitting in the middle of a Hand with a large, tempting Discard Pile in front of you. You had the matching pair. You could pick. But should you?
Let’s remind ourselves of the situation:
🃏 The Situation — Case #005
✦ The Answer
Don’t pick. Let the Pack go.
That Pack is loaded with Toxic Cards and picking it would put you in a very difficult position before you’ve even opened your Initial Meld.
Why “No” Is the Right Answer
The moment you pick that Pack, those 3 Aces and 2 sevens become your problem. In Modern Canasta, Aces and 7s are called Toxic Cards and for good reason.
If the Hand ends and you’re holding 3 or more of them, your team takes a serious penalty:
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 3+ Aces left in hand at end of Hand | –1,500 points |
| 3+ 7s left in hand at end of Hand | –1,500 points |
| Incomplete Natural Aces Canasta on table | –2,500 points |
| Incomplete Natural 7s Canasta on table | –2,500 points |
In this scenario, you’d be absorbing 3 Aces and 2 sevens while already holding one Ace and two 7s — leaving you with too many penalty cards and no safe discard on your first turn.
🔥 Hot Tip
Before picking any Pack, always count the Aces and 7s inside it first. If you see 3 or more combined, ask yourself: do I have a solid plan to get rid of them? If the answer is no draw from the Draw Pile and wait for a better opportunity.
👏 Great work, Detective!
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