How to Play La Belle Lucie
La Belle Lucie is a gentle, thoughtful patience you can learn in one sitting. Visit Playmore for more beginner guides and game ideas. This guide focuses on the common beginner form: three-card fans with a small number of redeals — it’s not the game called Fan, even though they look alike.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Game name | La Belle Lucie |
| Family | French patience |
| Typical players | 1 |
| Deck | 52 (standard deck) |
| Setup | Deal the full deck into small fans, commonly three-card fans; one fan may be shorter. |
| Beginner focus | Three-card fans and limited redeals; not Fan despite family resemblance. |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is to move every card onto the four foundations. Foundations are built by suit from the lowest starting rank up to the top rank. You free cards by moving the playable top cards from the fans. The game tests planning and careful use of limited redeals.
What you need and how to set up
You need one normal 52-card deck. Shuffle well. Deal the entire deck into a row of small fans across the table, typically three cards per fan. If the deck doesn’t divide evenly, a final fan may have fewer cards. Only the top card of each fan is face-up and playable. Because rules vary, check the authoritative rules for the exact version your group prefers before you start.
How to play
- Look at the top card of each fan. Play any aces or low starting cards to start the foundations if that is the version you are using.
- Move a top card from one fan either to a foundation or onto another fan when the game’s building rule allows it (many versions build down by suit on the tableau and allow only single-card moves). If your exact rule differs, follow your group's chosen version.
- Only the top card of each fan is available to move. When a top card moves, the card beneath it becomes available.
- If you get stuck with no useful moves, one of the redeal options lets you gather all tableau cards and redeal them into fans again. The number and timing of redeals change by version, so use them carefully.
- Repeat moving and redealing until no legal moves remain or all cards are on the foundations.
How a round or game ends
You win when every card is built onto the four foundations. You lose if no legal moves remain and you have used all allowed redeals. Exact redeal counts and any special end-of-game treatments depend on the version you play, so check the official rules your group uses.
Beginner tips
- Prioritize unlocking buried low cards and aces. They free many moves.
- Think before you place a card on another fan. One choice can block many useful cards later.
- Save redeals for moments when a fresh layout will open many moves. Don’t waste them early.
- Try to avoid covering cards that will be needed soon. Work toward freeing long runs under fans.
- Play slowly. La Belle Lucie rewards careful planning more than speed.
FAQ
Do I need a special deck?
No. Use a normal 52-card deck. No special cards or purchases are required.
How many redeals do I get?
That depends on the version you choose. Classic beginner forms give just a small number of redeals. Check the authoritative rules your group prefers for the exact count.
Can I move multiple cards at once?
Many La Belle Lucie rules allow only single-card moves from the tops of fans, but variations exist. Use the move rules your group agrees on.