How to Play Grandmother
Grandmother is a quiet, thoughtful patience that asks you to arrange a whole deck into neat suit sequences. If you like single-player card puzzles, this guide will help you start — and you can find more on Playmore if you want other solitaire ideas.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game name | Grandmother |
| Type | European patience (solitaire) |
| Players | 1 |
| Deck | Full normal 52-card deck |
| Focus | Tableau and foundation game with a special initial deal and places to build four suit sequences |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is to move every card onto the four foundation spaces so each suit is built in order from its starting card to its end card. The game uses a special initial deal so the layout matters. Exact build direction and allowed moves vary by version, so check the authoritative rules your group uses for the exact order and permissions.
What you need and how to set up
You only need one standard 52-card deck. Shuffle well. Grandmother begins with a special initial deal that creates a tableau and a set of foundation spaces. Place the foundation spaces where you can move cards to them during play. The tableau will have piles and possibly a small reserve or stock. Different sources give slightly different starter layouts, so use the version your group prefers or follow the official rules for the exact deal.
How to play
- Look for cards that belong on the foundations. When a card continues a foundation’s suit sequence, move it there.
- Expose face-down or covered cards in the tableau by moving available cards according to the local build rules. The general idea is to free useful cards so you can place them on foundations later.
- If the game uses a stock and waste, turn cards from the stock to the waste and use waste cards when they fit the tableau or foundations.
- If moving between tableau piles is allowed, use those moves to uncover hidden cards and make new foundation plays. Some versions let you move sequences; others allow only single cards — check your rule set.
- Fill empty tableau spaces according to the house rule you chose. Filling gaps wisely often opens paths to the foundations.
- Continue moving cards to foundations and rearranging the tableau until no legal moves remain or all cards are on the foundations.
How a round or game ends
You win when every card sits on the four foundations in the correct suit order. If no legal moves remain and cards are still off the foundations, the game ends as a loss. Some rule sets include redeals, special moves, or scoring; those details vary. Check the official rules for the exact end conditions and any scoring used by your version.
Beginner tips
- Study the initial layout before moving. Spot which piles hide many cards and focus on freeing them.
- Prioritize moving cards to the foundations when doing so does not block other useful plays.
- Be careful filling empty tableau spots — the card you put there can help or harm future moves.
- Use the waste and stock smartly: don’t burn a card that could later be a key foundation starter.
- Try a few house-rule variations if the standard setup feels too hard or too easy. Practicing helps you spot patterns.
FAQ
Do I need a special deck?
No. Grandmother uses a normal 52-card deck. You do not need any special or branded cards.
Can I move whole sequences or only single cards?
That depends on the version. Some rules let you move built sequences between tableau piles; others only allow single-card moves. Check the official or house rules you’re using.
What should I do if I get stuck?
Stop and scan the layout for any hidden cards you can free by a different move. If play still stops, try replaying with different early choices or consult the exact rule set for redeals and special permissions.