Solitaire, also known as Patience, is a classic card game enjoyed by millions worldwide. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and the strategic thinking it requires. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing pastime or a mental workout, understanding How To Play Solitaire is a great skill to have. This guide will walk you through the basics, setting you up for countless hours of card-playing fun.
Understanding the Basics of Solitaire
Before diving into the gameplay, let’s cover the fundamental elements you’ll need to know to play Solitaire effectively.
The Pack
Solitaire is played using a standard 52-card deck. This deck is composed of four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, each containing cards ranked from Ace to King.
Object of the Game
The primary goal in Solitaire is to build up four foundation piles, one for each suit. You build these foundations in ascending order, starting with the Ace and ending with the King, all within the same suit. Winning Solitaire means successfully moving all cards to these foundation piles.
Card Ranks
Understanding card ranks is crucial for gameplay. In Solitaire, the card ranks, from highest to lowest, are King (K), Queen (Q), Jack (J), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and Ace (A). Aces are the starting point for your foundation piles.
Setting Up the Game: The Deal
The Solitaire layout consists of several key areas. Let’s break down each pile and how they’re arranged at the start of the game.
The Tableau
The tableau is the main playing area, composed of seven piles. These piles are arranged in a specific manner:
- The first pile (leftmost) has one card face-up.
- The second pile has two cards, the top one face-up and the bottom one face-down.
- This pattern continues, with each subsequent pile having one more card, and only the top card face-up.
- The seventh pile will have seven cards, with the top one face-up and the remaining six face-down.
This setup creates a staggered pyramid shape on the table.
The Foundations
The foundations are four empty piles, usually located above the tableau. These are where you will build your suits, starting with Aces. They are designated for hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs.
The Stock Pile
After setting up the tableau, the remaining cards form the stock pile, also known as the hand. This pile is placed face-down, typically in the top left corner of your playing area. You draw cards from the stock pile to continue playing.
The Talon Pile
Next to the stock pile, you’ll find the talon or waste pile. Initially empty, this pile is where you place cards from the stock pile that you cannot immediately play onto the tableau or foundations. Cards in the talon are face-up and the top card is available for play.
Initial Tableau Setup (Step-by-Step Deal)
To physically set up the tableau:
- Deal one card face-up to the first pile.
- Deal one card face-down, then one card face-up to the second pile.
- Deal two cards face-down, then one card face-up to the third pile.
- Continue this pattern until the seventh pile has six face-down cards and one face-up card.
- Place the remaining cards face-down to form the stock pile.
- Leave space for the four foundation piles and the talon pile.
Playing Solitaire: Gameplay
Once the game is set up, the real fun begins. Here’s how to play Solitaire, move cards, and aim for a win.
Building in the Tableau
The primary moves in Solitaire involve building sequences within the tableau columns. You can move face-up cards in the tableau according to these rules:
- Cards can be moved onto another tableau pile if they are one rank lower and of the opposite color. For example, you can place a red 9 (hearts or diamonds) on a black 10 (spades or clubs).
- You can move sequences of cards if they are properly ordered and of alternating colors. If you have a sequence of 8 of hearts on a 9 of spades, you can move both onto a 10 of diamonds.
- When you move a face-up card from a tableau pile, and uncover a face-down card, turn the face-down card face-up. This new face-up card is now available for play.
Utilizing the Foundations
As Aces become available in the tableau or by drawing from the stock, move them to the foundation piles. Once an Ace is in a foundation, you can build upon it in ascending rank and same suit. For example, place the 2 of hearts on the Ace of hearts, then the 3 of hearts, and so on, up to the King of hearts.
Using the Stock and Talon
When you can no longer make moves within the tableau, you can use the stock pile.
- Draw cards from the stock pile one at a time (in standard Solitaire – some variations may draw three).
- If the drawn card can be played onto a tableau pile or a foundation, play it immediately.
- If the drawn card cannot be played, place it face-up on the talon pile. The top card of the talon is always available for play.
- Once the stock pile is depleted, and you can still make moves, you can often recycle the talon pile by moving all the cards from the talon back to the stock (usually without shuffling), and continuing to draw.
The Importance of Spaces
Empty spaces in the tableau are created when an entire pile is moved. These spaces are crucial and can only be filled by a King. Moving a King to a space can unlock new possibilities and reveal face-down cards in other piles. Strategically using spaces is key to solving many Solitaire games.
Winning the Game
You win Solitaire when all cards are successfully moved to the four foundation piles, built up in suit and sequence from Ace to King. Not all Solitaire games are winnable, and part of the challenge is figuring out the best strategy to maximize your chances of success.
Solitaire is a game of patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. Understanding these rules is your first step towards mastering this engaging card game. Now, deal the cards and start playing!
