How to Play Solitaire

Summary

Learn how to play Solitaire in this concise guide. Start by setting up the tableau with one face-up card and six face-down cards per column. The goal is to build four foundation piles from ace to king by moving cards strategically. Use the reserve pile to draw cards when stuck, flipping three at a time without shuffling. Master the art of moving cards one number higher and of opposite color to win.

Takeaways

• 🃏 **Setup**: Start by placing one card face up and six cards face down in each column.
• 🔄 **Objective**: The goal is to move all cards into 4 foundation piles in ascending order from ace to king.
• 👆 **Move Rule**: You can move a face-up card to another column if it's one number higher and a different color.
• 🔄 **Reveal Cards**: Moving a face-up card reveals the face-down card underneath, which should be turned over.
• 🃏 **Foundation Piles**: Place face-up aces above the playing area to start building the foundation piles.
• 🔝 **Ascending Order**: Build foundation piles by adding cards in ascending order of the same suit.
• 🔄 **Play Area Movement**: Continuously move face-up cards around the playing area and into the suit piles.
• 🔄 **Stuck?**: If no moves are possible, flip the top 3 cards from the reserve pile to find playable cards.
• 🔄 **Reserve Pile**: Keep flipping sets of 3 cards from the reserve pile without shuffling when stuck.
• 🏁 **Win Condition**: Win by completing all 4 foundation piles or by running out of possible moves.
• 🚫 **No Shuffling**: Do not shuffle the reserve pile; simply flip over sets of 3 cards when needed.

Q & A

What is the ultimate goal of playing solitaire?

The ultimate goal of playing solitaire is to move all the cards into 4 foundation piles, one per suit, in ascending order from ace to king.

How do you set up the game of solitaire?

To set up the game, place 1 card face up and 6 cards face down to the right of the face-up card. Repeat this process for each column until every column has a face-up card at the bottom. Place the remaining cards in a pile off to the side.

What is the significance of the face-up and face-down cards in the setup?

The face-up card at the bottom of each column is significant because it allows you to start the game by moving cards. The face-down cards are covered and can only be accessed by moving a face-up card from another column on top of them.

How do you start playing the game after the setup?

After the setup, you start the game by looking at the face-up cards to see if you can move any of them to access the face-down cards underneath.

What is the rule for moving a face-up card to another column?

You can move a face-up card to the bottom of another column if the card you're playing it on is a different color and one number higher than the face-up card.

What should you do when you expose a face-down card by moving a face-up card?

When you move a face-up card and expose a face-down card underneath, you should turn the face-down card face up.

How do you start a foundation pile in solitaire?

If you have a face-up ace, you should place it above the playing area to start one of the 4 foundation piles needed to win the game.

In what order should you place cards on a foundation pile?

You should place cards on a foundation pile in ascending order from ace to king, one suit at a time.

What should you do when you can't move any more cards?

When you can't move any more cards, you should flip over the top 3 cards from the reserve pile to see if you can play the top card anywhere.

What is the rule for playing cards from the reserve pile?

You can play the top card from the reserve pile if it can be placed on an existing pile, and then see if you can play the card underneath it. If not, flip over 3 more cards from the reserve pile.

How do you know when you've won the game of solitaire?

You've won the game of solitaire when all the cards have been moved into the corresponding suit piles in ascending order.

What is the rule for moving cards within the playing area?

Within the playing area, you can move cards only onto cards that are one number higher and of the opposite color.