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The canasta must contain at least seven natural cards (this is called the base). Seven or eight of a kind, with no wild cards, is called a natural canasta (or pure canasta); A set of seven or more containing of a kind, and one to three wild cards, is called a mixed canasta.
Rule 1 - 6 Row Pyramid. The pyramid consists of six rows totalling 21 cards. A six card reserve below the pyramid is also available. The Pyramid consists of seven rows totalling 28 cards. A seven card reserve below the pyramid is also available. I haven't noticed a difference in difficulty between rules 1 and 2, but different tactics favour each of the rules.