Canasta is a classic card​ game that originated in Uruguay in the 1940s. It is a game of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck, typically played with two standard decks of cards, including Jokers. The game is most commonly played by four players in two partnerships, but variations exist for two or three players. The objective is to score points by forming melds of cards, particularly canastas, which are melds of seven cards of the same rank.