Learn Canasta
My name is Michelle Marx and I live in New York City.
Certified Canasta League of America Instructor.
My Story
Queen of Games
My lifelong love of Canasta began in childhood when my mother and cousins played for hours gathered around the family kitchen table. The sounds of laughter and conversation and the smells of home cooked favorite foods are unforgettable.
As my children entered adulthood, I found myself with more leisure time and started meeting weekly with friends to connect and play. I had a natural knack for the game and friends started to ask me to for tips to help them improve their play.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, so many of my contemporaries were looking to stay socially connected and I decided to start teaching Canasta on an app called Canasta Junction thru Zoom.
This led to my introduction to the 92nd Street Y Senior Center where I started teaching beginners and supervising play. Some of the women in the center have been playing for years and some of my new students have become skillful Canasta players who share the passion for the game. I am filled with such pride and joy when I watch these ladies develop new friendships while become skillful players. Playing Canasta with others provides valuable social interaction while also stimulating memory and brain function.
A certified instructor (by the Canasta League of America) I feel blessed to be able to provide private and group lessons in New York City.
What is Canasta?
Canasta is 4 person game using two decks of cards (plus 4 Jokers). Thus there are 8 cards of each value plus 4 Jokers, for a total of 108 cards.
At the start of the game, 13 cards are dealt to each player. The player to the left of the dealer goes first and play proceeds clockwise.
Your goal is to combine three or more like cards (melds) in order to create canastas (group of 7).
The hand ends when the draw pile is empty or a player runs out of cards.
Hands are repeated until a team reaches 8500 points.
Courses
Beginner
In person Four consecutive 2 hour classes (up to 6 people).
Refresher
Haven’t played Canasta in a while? I can easily help.
Advanced Strategies
Ideal for Intermediate and Advanced players who want to understand and learn the nuances of strategy and advanced canasta.
Supervised Play
Need a 4th player? Ready to learn advanced strategy’s? Hate scoring?
Canasta Junction
Learn this app so it can connect you with friends near and far. Plus, it automatically scores and shuffles your cards.
What My Clients Are Saying
Need a book recommendation? An easy recipe for dessert that’s sure to impress? A hip place to shop, theater reviews?
Take canasta lessons with Michelle, and she’ll not only teach you how to play Canasta like a pro, but she’ll share her vast resources with you at the same time; she makes learning the game SO much fun.
Not to brag, Michelle has turned me into a Canasta warrior! Thanks, Michelle, for imparting to me your love of Canasta and teaching me the strategies for having become a seriously good player.
How lucky I am to have found Michelle.
So patient, knowledgeable,
so clear.
Canasta’s greatest find.