The objective of the game is to make Canastas and, optionally, Zambas in order to score points. The winner of the game is the first player to reach the target cumulative score. Players may decide this target at the beginning of the game; 30,000 and 50,000 are most common.
Depending on the play styles of the participants, each hand can take more or less time to complete. In most cases, a single game will span multiple play sessions. Players who desire a shorter game may set a smaller target score or decide to play a predetermined number of hands instead, with the winner being whoever scores the highest within that timeframe.
Shuffle together 5 decks of cards. If you have 6 or more players, add at least one extra deck. (It is recommended that large groups play with partners if possible, as this makes the gameplay smoother and allows fewer decks to accommodate more people.)
Dealer: Cut the deck. If you manage to cut the exact number of cards required, including a final card to start the discard pile, get a bonus of 100 points for the current hand.
Deal to all players two sets of 13 cards each, turning the final card of each face up.
Players: Choose one of your two sets to be your Hand, which you will play first. The other will be your Foot. Place your Foot off to the side and do not look at its contents.
Play moves clockwise around the table, with the player to the dealer's left taking the first turn.
Valid plays start, add to, or finish a Canasta or Zamba on your table, within the rules.
You must always end your turn by discarding one card. Once you have discarded, you may not make any more moves until your next turn.
When a player is able to validly get rid of all the cards they are holding, including a final discard, they can go out, ending the hand for everyone. All other players must then count their remaining unplayed cards against their scores for the hand.
The player who goes out (or their team) gets a bonus of 100 pts for doing so and usually wins the hand, though exceptions are possible.
All players (or teams) count up their scores for the current hand. When the next hand begins, pass the role of dealer one player to the left.