How to Play Chinese Solitaire
Chinese Solitaire is a single-player patience game that feels clever and calm. If you like sorting and planning, you'll enjoy this one — learn more at Playmore and give it a try.
Quick facts
| Game | Chinese Solitaire |
|---|---|
| Type | International patience |
| Typical players | 1 |
| Deck | Full normal 52-card deck |
| Goal | Build four suit foundations from ace through king |
| Setup note | Cards start in a distinctive multi-column tableau with some reserve or stock; exact layouts vary by source |
What you are trying to do
Your aim is simple: move every card onto four foundation piles, one per suit, starting with each ace and continuing upward to each king. The game begins from a special multi-column layout. You will move cards from the tableau and any reserve or stock into the foundations using legal moves. Exact move rules and the initial deal differ between versions, so check an authoritative rule source for the exact layout your group prefers.
What you need and how to set up
You need one normal 52-card deck. No special cards are required. Shuffle the deck well.
Deal the cards into the multi-column tableau that your version calls for. The common idea is several columns with varying numbers of face-down and face-up cards, plus a small reserve or stock to draw from. Leave space for four foundation piles, which start empty until aces appear. Because rules vary, confirm the exact column counts and reserve rules before you start.
How to play
- Turn over the top face-up cards in each tableau column so you can see all available cards.
- Move any ace you can to start a foundation pile for its suit.
- Whenever possible, place cards onto foundation piles in suit order (ace, two, three, etc.) until you reach king. Only move cards that are allowed by the version you are playing.
- Use the tableau to free up needed cards. Typical moves let you move a single exposed card to another column or onto a foundation. Some versions allow moving sequences; others limit you to single-card moves. Follow the rules for your version.
- If your layout includes a reserve or stock, draw from it when no useful moves are available on the tableau. Some rules allow redeals or limited passes; others do not.
- After each move, reveal any newly exposed card in a tableau column so more options open up.
- Repeat moving between tableau, reserve/stock, and foundations until you either build all four foundations or have no legal moves left.
How a round or game ends
A round ends when you have either successfully moved all 52 cards into the four suit foundations from ace through king (a win) or you cannot make any legal moves under the rules you are using (a loss). Some versions allow shuffles or redeals; others do not. Check the authoritative rules for the version you want to play.
Beginner tips
- Always move aces to the foundations immediately. They free up many plays.
- Expose hidden cards as soon as you can. New cards give new options.
- Think ahead one or two moves. Don’t bury cards you need on a column unless it opens something valuable.
- Use the reserve or stock conservatively if redeals are limited.
- If a rule choice exists (like whether you may move sequences), pick the more permissive rule as you learn the game, then try stricter versions later.
- When in doubt, try a safe move and watch the consequences. Solitaire is about practice and pattern recognition.
FAQ
How many players can play?
Chinese Solitaire is for one player. It’s a solo patience game focused on planning and order.
Do I need a special deck of cards?
No. Use a standard 52-card deck. No special cards or purchases are necessary.
What if I get stuck and can’t move?
If no legal moves remain, the round is over. Some groups allow redeals or undoing a move as a house rule. For competitive or strict play, check the authoritative source to see whether redeals or passes are permitted.
Note: This is a friendly beginner overview. For the exact layout and move specifics used by a published version, please check the authoritative rules for Chinese Solitaire before playing.