Rules of the game
Move all 52 cards to the 4 foundations, sorted by suit from Ace to King.
- Build tableau columns downward in alternating colors.
- Only a King, alone or with its sequence, can enter an empty column.
- Turn one stock card at a time. Only the top waste card is available.
- Build each foundation upward in one suit, starting with the Ace.
Understand the layout
Tableau
7 columns contain 1 to 7 cards. Only the top card of each column begins face up.
Stock and waste
The 24 undealt cards form the stock. 1 card is turned onto the waste at a time, and the waste can be recycled without a pass limit in this version.
Foundations
4 piles, 1 per suit, are built upward from Ace to King.
Concrete move examples
Legal move
Place a black 7 on a red 8, or move a valid King-led sequence into an empty tableau column.
Illegal move
Place a red 7 on a red 8, or start an empty tableau column with any rank other than a King.
How to play well
At the start, compare moves by what they reveal. Turning a face-down tableau card usually creates more choices than moving an available card to a foundation.
An empty column is valuable only when a King can use it. Before clearing a column, identify the King or King-led sequence that will occupy the space and what that move will uncover next.
Before drawing, scan the tableau, waste and foundations once more. A small card that looks safe on a foundation may still be needed to move a longer alternating-color sequence.
Useful tips
- Prefer a move that uncovers a hidden card.
- Create an empty column only when a King can use it.
- Check the tableau again before drawing from the stock.
Mistakes to avoid
- Do not block a needed low card under a long sequence.
- Do not move every card to the foundations automatically.
How the game ends
You win when all 52 cards reach the foundations. The game reports a blocked position when no legal tableau, waste, foundation or stock action remains.
Common questions
How many cards are in the stock?
Twenty-four cards remain after the 28-card tableau is dealt.
Can the stock be recycled?
Yes. This implementation allows unlimited recycling of the waste into the stock.
Can a card return from a foundation?
Yes, when the card makes a legal tableau move.