How the score sheets work
- Choose your game from the cards above.
- Set it up. Pick teams or players, how many (up to six), Large or Extra large print, and Letter or A4 paper. Type the names, or leave the boxes empty to write them by hand.
- Print or play on screen. Press Print score sheet for a clean, black-and-white page, or use the on-screen score keeper. It saves your scores on your device, so a game can carry on after lunch.
Each game page also has a friendly “How to play” box with the rules in plain words, a scoring quick-reference table and tips for running the game with a group.
Which score sheet do I need?
| Game | Usually played by | How a game ends | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand and Foot | 2 teams of 2 | After 4 rounds | Highest total |
| Canasta | 2 teams of 2 | A team reaches 5,000 | Highest total |
| Mexican Train | 2 to 8 players | After 13 rounds | Lowest total |
| Pinochle | 2 teams of 2 | A team reaches 1,500 | Highest total |
Hand and Foot and Canasta are close cousins. Both are about building sets of seven cards of the same rank, with jokers and 2s as wild cards. Hand and Foot is the more relaxed of the two and uses more decks. Mexican Train is a domino game that suits mixed groups, because each player plays for themselves and the rules fit on one card. Pinochle has bidding and tricks, so it rewards experienced card players.
Common rules, and your house rules
Card and domino games are played in many different ways, and most families and clubs have their own house rules. Our sheets follow the most common rules, and we say so on each page. If your group scores differently, that is fine: the printed boxes work with any scoring, and you can change the winning score for Canasta and Pinochle.
Made for seniors, carers and activity staff
- Big, clear print with heavy lines and large writing boxes that are easy to fill in with a felt-tip pen.
- One page, every time. Up to six teams or players fit on one US Letter or A4 page, in both print sizes.
- No sums in your head. The score keeper adds the totals, shows who is leading and announces the winner.
- Free and private. No sign-up. Names and scores stay in your browser and are never sent to us.
Tips for a card and domino afternoon
- Print a fresh sheet for every table and write the table number in the title box. It keeps scores from getting mixed up.
- Pick one scorekeeper per table and give them a thick felt-tip pen. Ask them to read the totals out loud after each round.
- Put the rules on the table. Each printed sheet carries a short scoring reminder at the bottom, so new players can check it without asking.
- Plan for the time you have. Each game page suggests ways to play a shorter game, such as fewer rounds or a lower winning score.
Looking for something to play first? Try our large-print bingo cards, the word search maker or the crossword maker.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the official rules?
They are common, widely played rules, not the only correct ones. Rules vary from group to group, so adjust them to match the way you play.
How many players can I print a score sheet for?
Up to six teams or players on one page, for every game. Pinochle uses four columns per team for two or three teams, and switches to a compact Score and Total layout for four to six.
Can I keep score on a phone or tablet instead?
Yes. Every game has an on-screen score keeper with automatic totals. Scores are saved on your device until you press New game.
Do the score sheets cost anything?
No. They are free to print for home, clubs, senior centers and care homes. See the terms of use.