Hand and Foot: The Best Card Game for Christmas (Based on Google Trends)

Every holiday season, families and friends gather around the table for a timeless tradition: playing cards. Among the many games that make Christmas memorable, one stands out—Hand and Foot. According to Google Trends, interest in this game peaks every year during the Christmas season, making it the go-to game for cozy gatherings.

Let’s explore why this game remains a festive favorite and walk through easy-to-follow instructions so you can join the fun this holiday season.

What is the Hand and Foot Card Game?

Hand and Foot is a thrilling variation of Canasta that ups the ante with dual decks: the “hand” you play first and the “foot” you tackle next. Its unique gameplay involves melding cards to earn points while strategizing your way to victory. Ideal for groups of 2-6 players, Hand and Foot’s adaptability is part of its charm, making it a staple for game nights everywhere.

Hand and Foot Card Game Google Trends Data (Past 5 Years)

(Data Source: Google Trends: Hand and Foot Card Game)

Peak Periods:

• December 2020: Search interest peaked at 100 (highest level).
• December 2021: Similar spike at 100.
• December 2022: Continued peak at 100.
• December 2023: Consistent peak expected during the holiday season.

Interest by Region (Relative Search Interest Scores):

• United States: 100 (highest interest globally).
• Canada: 20 (second-highest level of interest).
• Other Regions: Minimal search activity in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines (all below 1%).

Search Interest Over Time (2020–2024):

Hand and Foot is the ultimate holiday hit, with searches spiking every December—proving it’s the go-to game for festive family gatherings, especially loved in North America. Even outside of the holiday season, the game keeps a steady fan base, showing it’s not just a Christmas fling but a year-round favorite for card game enthusiasts.

Why is Hand and Foot So Popular at Christmas?

Data from Google Trends highlights that searches for Hand and Foot consistently peak during the Christmas season. This pattern reflects its role as a go-to game for festive gatherings, cementing its reputation as a holiday classic.

1. Perfect for Groups: Hand and Foot accommodates 2–6 players, making it ideal for family gatherings.
2. Fun and Strategic: It blends teamwork and individual strategy, keeping everyone engaged.
3. Festive Nostalgia: Its history as a holiday favorite contributes to its enduring popularity.

How to Play Hand and Foot

What You’ll Need

• Players: 2–6 participants.
• Decks of Cards: 5–6 standard decks, including Jokers.

Setup

1. Divide the Cards: Each player gets two sets of 11 cards:
   • The Hand, which they can pick up and play.
   • The Foot, which remains face down until the Hand is played out.
2. Create the Stock and Discard Piles:
   • Shuffle the remaining cards into a central Stock pile.
   • Turn over the top card to start the Discard pile.
3. Team Play (Optional): If playing in teams, teammates sit opposite each other.

Goal of the Game

Be the first to play all your cards by finishing your Hand first and then your Foot, while scoring as many points as possible.

Turn Actions

1. Drawing Cards: At the start of your turn, draw two cards from the pile or pick up the entire discard pile if you can meld the top card.
2. Melding and Books: Lay down Melds (sets of 3–7 cards of the same rank) on your turn, ensuring you meet the minimum points threshold for the round. Add to existing Melds to form Books (completed sets of 7 cards).
3. Playing Your Foot: Once your hand is empty, announce “playing my Foot,” then move to your foot pile, continuing to meld and discard.
4. Ending the Round: A round ends when one player has no cards left.

Melding and Books

What is a Meld? A Meld is a set of 3–7 cards of the same rank, shared by the team:

• At least three natural cards (no wild cards) are needed to start a Meld.
• Add more cards to build a Book.

Types of Books:

• Red Book (Clean): 7 natural cards of the same rank (500 points).
• Black Book (Dirty): At least 4 natural cards and up to 3 wild cards (300 points).

Rules for Wild Cards

• Wild Cards (Jokers, Deuces): Can substitute for any card but cannot outnumber natural cards in a Meld.
• Red Threes: Cannot be used in Melds and must be played immediately upon drawing.

Rules Need to Remember

1. Wild Card Limits: Wild cards (Jokers and Deuces) cannot outnumber natural cards in a Meld.
2. Discard Pile Restrictions: You must use the top card in a Meld to pick up the pile.
3. Rounds and Minimum Points Thresholds:
   • Round 1: 50 points to meld.
   • Round 2: 90 points to meld.
   • Round 3: 120 points to meld.
   • Round 4: 150 points to meld.
4. Going Out: To end the game, your team must complete at least:
   • One Red Book (Clean).
   • One Black Book (Dirty).
   • You must also discard your final card.

Scoring System

• Red Books: 500 points
• Black Books: 300 points
• Wild Books: 1,500 points
• Card Values:
  • Jokers: 50 points
  • 2s: 20 points
  • Aces: 20 points
  • 8s-Kings: 10 points
  • 4s-7s: 5 points
  • Black 3s: 5 points
  • Red 3s: 100 points
• Going Out Bonus: 100 points
• Penalty: Points from unplayed cards in Hand and Foot piles are subtracted.

Variations of Hand and Foot

1. Two-Player Game
   Players draw two cards per turn and require two books to go out.
2. Samba Variation
   • Played with 3 decks.
   • Melds include sequences, and the score objective is 10,000 points.
   • Higher meld thresholds for teams with 7,000+ points.

Drinking Rules for Hand and Foot

Spice up your Hand and Foot game with these creative and entertaining house rules! Take your Hand and Foot card game to the next level with these hilarious and party-ready drinking rules!

1. Drink and Discard

• Rule: Every time you discard a wild card (Joker or Deuce), take a drink.
• Bonus: If you pick up the Discard pile, you can assign drinks equal to the number of cards in the pile to other players.
• Why It’s Fun: Adds a layer of strategy (or chaos) to your choices while keeping the game light and sociable.

2. Red Three Shots

• Rule: If you draw a Red Three, you must take a shot or sip your drink before continuing your turn.
• Twist: If you forget, another player can call you out, and you take a penalty drink instead.
• Why It’s Fun: Makes drawing Red Threes an amusing and eagerly anticipated moment.

3. Penalty Drinks

• Rule: Forget to announce “Playing my Foot” or skip any required action (like shouting a phrase when playing a wild card)? Take three sips as a penalty.
• Why It’s Fun: Encourages focus while adding playful tension. Forgetfulness comes at a price!

4. Lucky Seven Sips

• Rule: If a player ends their turn with exactly seven cards in their Hand or Foot, they get to assign a drink to every other player.
• Why It’s Fun: Adds a sneaky incentive for players to aim for seven cards, creating extra strategy and laughter.

5. Wild Card Freeze

• Rule: When you play a wild card (Joker or Deuce), the next player must take a sip unless they can counter it with another wild card.
• Why It’s Fun: Turns wild cards into drinking traps and creates hilarious chain reactions when players are forced to drink.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make on Hand and Foot Card Game

1. Over-Melding: Playing too many cards in Melds early, leaving no flexibility for later turns. Solution: Keep a mix of cards to adapt to changing game dynamics.
2. Mismanaging Wild Cards Using wild cards too early or in small Melds. Solution: Reserve them for critical moments, such as completing a Book.
3. Ignoring the Discard Pile: Not checking if the Discard pile has valuable cards. Solution: Pay attention to what your opponents discard and assess if the pile is worth picking up.
4. Forgetting to Announce “Playing My Foot”: Failing to declare when transitioning to the Foot pile, leading to penalties. Solution: Make announcing “Playing my Foot” a routine part of your turn.
5. Rushing to Go Out: Ending the round before your team has maximized points. Solution: Coordinate with your team to complete more Books before going out.

Best Strategies for Winning Hand and Foot

Hand and Foot is not just about luck; it’s a game of strategy and planning. By managing your cards effectively, working with your team, and making smart decisions, you can significantly improve your chances of winning. Here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

Manage Your Hand and Foot Wisely

Success in Hand and Foot starts with how you play your Hand and transition to your Foot. Avoid playing high-value cards too early—save them for strategic Melds when they can make a bigger impact. A smooth transition to your Foot is critical; try to empty your Hand while keeping at least one card to discard, ensuring you’re not stuck without options.

Use Wild Cards Sparingly

Wild cards, like Jokers and Deuces, are your most versatile tools, but they’re also in limited supply. Rather than using them to start new Melds, save them to complete Books or enhance existing ones. Overloading Dirty (Black) Books with wild cards can restrict your ability to create new Melds, so use them thoughtfully to maximize their value.

Pick Up the Discard Pile Strategically

The Discard pile can be a goldmine—or a trap. Only pick it up if the top card fits neatly into an existing Meld or aligns with your strategy. Grabbing the pile recklessly can overwhelm you with cards you don’t need, complicating your gameplay. Always evaluate whether the potential benefit outweighs the risk of holding unusable cards.

Focus on Clean (Red) Books

Clean (Red) Books are worth significantly more points than Dirty (Black) Books, so prioritizing them is essential. Aim to create and complete as many Clean Books as possible while keeping an eye on opportunities to build Dirty Books when necessary. The extra points from Clean Books can give you a decisive edge over your opponents.

Coordinate with Your Team

If you’re playing in teams, communication and collaboration are key. Work with your teammate to decide who focuses on Clean Books and who takes on Dirty Books. By dividing responsibilities, you can create a balanced strategy that maximizes your team’s score. Subtle signals or shared goals can make teamwork both effective and fun.

Creative Theme Ideas for Hand and Foot Nights

Wild West Hand and Foot

• Decorate the table with cowboy hats and cacti.
• Use themed phrases like “Meld ‘em up!” or “Wild card rodeo!”
• Serve BBQ-style snacks and drinks.

Christmas Card Craze

• Play with festive rules, such as extra points for completing a Book with all red cards.
• Use Christmas-themed score sheets with snowflakes and bells.
• Add holiday drinks like eggnog or hot cocoa for a cozy atmosphere.

Casino Night

• Set up a casino-style table with chips as point markers.
• Players can “bet” chips on their ability to Go Out first.
• Use a dealer’s hat or vest for the game host.

Retro Game Night

• Dress in retro clothing and play to a nostalgic soundtrack.
• Use vintage card decks or create custom ones with retro designs.
• Include prizes for the most “on-theme” outfit.

Christmas Movie Drinking Game Night

• Bring the holiday cheer to your Hand and Foot game by pairing it with classic Christmas movies like Home Alone, Elf, and The Grinch. 
• Create fun drinking rules tied to the movie, such as:
  • Take a sip when someone mentions “Christmas spirit.”
  • Drink whenever a character learns the true meaning of Christmas.
  • Take a shot when Santa appears on screen.
• Serve themed cocktails like “Rudolph’s Red Nose Punch” or “Grinch Green Mojito.”
• Add festive props like elf hats and mistletoe to enhance the holiday party atmosphere.

Hand and Foot isn’t just a card game—it’s a holiday tradition that brings joy, laughter, and a healthy dose of competition to the Christmas table. Whether you stick to traditional rules or create your own house twists, the game promises endless entertainment. Ready to deal the cards and dive in? Trust us—this game will leave you hooked!

FAQs About Hand and Foot