Solitaire: rules, controls and strategy

Rules

• Build tableau piles downward with alternating red and black suits.
• Move an Ace to an empty foundation, then build that suit upward to King.
• Only a King or a valid King-led sequence may enter an empty tableau column.
• Move complete face-up alternating sequences between tableau columns.
• Win by moving all 52 cards to the foundations.

Keyboard, pointer and touch controls

Click or tap a face-up card to select it, then choose a legal destination. Use the stock to deal, Undo to restore the previous saved state, and the difficulty dialog to begin or resume a stored game.

Scoring and saving

Legal progress awards points while moves and elapsed time are tracked separately. Completing the game saves the final score and a win. A higher score replaces the personal best; signed-in persistence uses the backend transaction.

Scores from browser games are bounded and synchronized by the backend, but local game outcomes are client-authoritative unless this guide explicitly identifies server-owned match evidence.

Beginner guidance

• Expose face-down tableau cards before rushing cards to foundations.
• Prefer moves that open an empty column or reveal a hidden card.
• Keep low cards available so both colors can continue descending.
• Use Undo to learn why a tempting move blocked the board.

Advanced strategy

• Delay foundation moves when the card is needed to carry a tableau sequence.
• Track which stock cards sit behind one another before recycling.
• Use empty columns as temporary sequence workspace, not automatic King storage.
• Compare alternative reveal orders before committing several moves.

Common mistakes

• Sending every possible card to foundations immediately.
• Filling an empty column with a King that cannot be extended.
• Moving a partial sequence that breaks alternating order.
• Starting a new difficulty when you meant to resume the saved deal.

Accessibility notes

Cards can be selected through pointer or keyboard activation, suits are shown as symbols and colors, and status, moves, time, and score are textual. Color remains relevant to the rules, so suit symbols provide the non-color cue.

Troubleshooting

• If a move is rejected, verify descending rank and opposite color.
• If the stock appears empty, the selected difficulty may limit recycling.
• Use Resume saved game when offered instead of starting over.
• If auto-complete stops, a required lower foundation card is still unavailable.