1) Thou shalt not meld all your cards, just bcause you can!
Remember that if you want to pick up the discard pile you need pairs! And you don't want to get rid of all your chances to pick up the deck by melding away all your cards.
2) Thou shalt not engage in pile wars!
Some people are obsessed with trying to win HUGE piles. Do not. Canasta was never meant to be a game of pile wars where you sit on pins and needles until someone guesses wrongly, and loses the game. Don't waste your wildcards in a pile, unless you hae a damn good reason.
3) Thou shalt not be an idiot!
Do not play more than one game at the same time. You only have enough eyes for one game, and your luck can only go so far. Don't be greedy, play one at a time.
4) Thou shalt use thy brain cells for good, and for mischief!
Make sure you know what you're playing. Read, AND understand the rules. If you're playing with special rules, like No Going Out, be sure you're aware at all times of these rules, and act accordingly.
5) Thou shalt make the first move!
Take control of the game as soon as you can. If your partner has not melded yet, and you have lots of wildcards, the chances are, your partner doesn't have the points needed. Help them out. When doing so, remember the first commandment.
6) Thou shalt make them quiver, sweat and soil themselves!
Keep the pressure on! Make canastas as soon as you can. Make your opponents think you're going out, and force them to make moves. Don't waste time letting your opponents collect points. Oh, and don't wait 30 cards in hopes of getting the red threes, moron.
7) Thou shalt be sneaky, clever, and even crooked!
If you have five cards of the same rank, meld three and let your opponent think you don't have any more! If you don't have to hold more than two of a kind, then don't. Play like you don't have the cards you do.
8) Thou shalt not commit adultery!
Find someone whose style you like, and make them your canasta partner. Stick with them, grow together, learn each others subtle hints (winks, nods, weird faces etc). Whatever you do, DONT play against them.
9) Thou shalt be a model citizen!
This game is meant to be fun. Don't get obsessed over your rating, and remember that winning isn't everything. You will not talk about your cards, and you'll be a good little boy or girl and ask your partner if you can go out. Have fun, even when you lose to those meanies.
10) Thou shalt tell your friends about this website!