Solitaire rules: moving cards, Draw 1, and Draw 3

Select a card, then its destination

Click or tap a face-up card to select it. Then choose the exposed card at the end of another tableau column, an empty column, or the matching foundation. This version uses two selections rather than a drag gesture. Select the same card again, or press Escape, to cancel.

To move a sequence, select the card at its beginning. All cards below it must already descend by one rank and alternate colors. The whole sequence moves together. When a move exposes a face-down card at the end of the source column, that card turns over automatically.

Check the destination rank and color

On the tableau, a red 7 can go on a black 8. It cannot go on a red 8 or a black 9. Hearts and diamonds are both red; clubs and spades are both black. Different suits alone do not make two cards alternate in color.

Foundations use a different rule. An empty foundation accepts the Ace of its suit. The next card must be the 2 of that suit, then the 3, continuing through King. Moving a sequence to a foundation is not allowed.

What changes between Draw 1 and Draw 3?

Choose the Draw setting above the table. Draw 1 turns over one stock card per selection. Draw 3 turns over up to three. If fewer than three cards remain in the stock, the last draw turns over only those cards. Changing the setting starts a new deal immediately.

Only the top card of the waste pile can move. In Draw 3, this is the last card turned over in the batch. Playing it exposes the card underneath, which may then be usable. You cannot choose a buried waste card directly.

Reuse the stock without shuffling the waste

When the stock runs out, select its empty space again. The waste turns back into the stock so you can draw through it again. This version has no limit on the number of passes. Recycling does not shuffle the cards.

In Draw 3, playing a waste card can change which cards appear at the top of later batches after recycling. Before drawing again, check whether the current waste card can reveal a useful card underneath or help turn over a hidden tableau card.

Use hints to find a move, then check what it opens

Look for a move that turns over a hidden card or clears a column for a useful King. Moving an exposed sequence between columns may change little if it reveals nothing. Compare what each move leaves available before choosing.

Hint clears your previous selection, then marks a source card and destination. Those marks remain until you select a card, change the board, or press Escape. The search first looks for a single card that can move to a foundation, then for tableau moves. It does not solve the full deal. If it finds no move, it may suggest trying the stock. That message is not proof that the game is lost: the hint search does not consider moving a card back from a foundation.

The top card of a foundation can return to a tableau column if it fits the descending, alternating-color rule. For example, a red foundation 5 can go on a black tableau 6. Use Undo to compare a different move while the game is unfinished. Random deals in this version are not guaranteed to be solvable.

Undo, Restart, and New game do different things

Undo reverses the last card move, stock draw, or recycle. It also restores the previous move count, but it does not turn back the timer. Moving a sequence counts as one move. A stock draw counts as one move whether it turns over one card or three; recycling counts as another move.

Restart restores the original deal with zero moves and a fresh timer. New game shuffles a different deal. N also starts a new game immediately. Changing between Draw 1 and Draw 3 replaces the current deal too.

Complete all four foundations through King to win. Win totals and the Draw setting are stored in the same browser when local storage is available. This version does not save an unfinished deal. Reloading creates a fresh board, so finish your attempt before leaving if you want to keep playing it.

Common questions