How to Set Up Solitaire: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways:

• To prepare for Solitaire, you arrange seven cards in an upside-down staircase pattern.
• The game is won by moving all face-up cards to the foundation piles
• There are many different versions of Solitaire that offer different challenges.

Solitaire is one of the most popular card games ever made. It’s simple, relaxing, and keeps your brain sharp at the same time. People have played it for a long time now, and today, you can enjoy it either with a real deck of cards or online.

Solitaire is a great game for both kids and adults. It improves focus, teaches patience, and is a fun way to pass time. Also, you don’t need anyone else to play Solitaire with, which makes it a great option for both solo and group entertainment.

Types of Solitaire

There are many ways to play Solitaire, but here are some of the most popular ones:

• Klondike Solitaire. It’s the classic version that most people think of when they hear the word “Solitaire”. You arrange seven card columns in a tableau, stack them in alternating colors, and move all face-up cards to the piles in ascending order by suit.
• Spider Solitaire. This version uses two decks instead of one and requires building full sets of the same suit. Since you only see some face-up cards at first, planning your moves carefully is key to clearing this Solitaire game.
• FreeCell. All cards start face-up, which allows you to see all cards from the beginning and it makes FreeCell one of the most strategic solitaire card game variations. You must use four “free-cells” to temporarily store cards while organizing the tableau in descending order by alternating colors.
• Pyramid Solitaire. Cards are arranged in a pyramid, and you must remove pairs that add up to 13. Because only uncovered cards are playable, every move matters and it makes it a fun mix of luck and skill.

Each version comes with its own twist, but the foundation of the game remains the same – clear the face-up cards wisely.

What You Need to Play Solitaire

Before you can set up Solitaire, you’ll need several things:

1. A deck of cards (52 cards, no jokers).
2. A flat surface, like a table, a desk, or the floor.
3. Patience to set up the game.

Now, some people ask “does solitaire require red and black cards?”. The answer is yes, it does. In classic Solitaire, you must alternate colors when stacking.

That means red hearts or diamonds should be placed under black clubs or spades. This is key to moving face-up cards and winning the Solitaire game.

Setting Up Your Solitaire Game

Now, let’s break down how to set-up Solitaire step by step.

Step 1: Deal the Tableau

1. Column 1: Deal 1 card, face-up.
2. Column 2: Deal 1 card face-down, then 1 card face-up on top.
3. Column 3: Deal 2 cards face-down, then 1 card face-up on top.
4. Column 4: Deal 3 cards face-down, then 1 card face-up.
5. Column 5: Deal 4 cards face-down, then 1 card face-up.
6. Column 6: Deal 5 cards face-down, then 1 card face-up.
7. Column 7: Deal 6 cards face-down, then 1 card face-up.

Step 2: Set Aside the Stockpile

After completing the set up, put the remaining cards in a pile. This will be your draw pile.

Step 3: Create the Foundation Piles

Leave space for four empty spots above the tableau. This is where you’ll build the four foundation piles from Ace to King.

That’s it, your Solitaire game is now set up and ready to be played.

How to Set Up Digital Solitaire

Setting up online Solitaire is even easier. Basically, you don’t need to do anything, just click on options you want. Here’s how it works:

1. Open a Solitaire card game app or website.
2. Select the version you want to play (Klondike, Spider Solitaire, etc.).
3. The game will automatically set up Solitaire for you.
4. Click or tap to move face-up cards instead of dragging them physically.

The differences between physical and digital Solitaire are not critical, it’s just about convenience. For example, digital versions set up the layout for you, they shuffle for you, and they may even include some hints or “undo” options.

Also, you don’t need to remember where to place face-up cards since the setup is automatic. Playing digital Solitaire is a great way to play Solitaire anywhere without needing a deck of cards and a tableau.

How to Play Solitaire

Now that you know how to set up Solitaire, let’s go over the rules.

Basic Rules

• The goal is to move all face-up cards to the foundation piles, sorted by suit in order from Ace to King.
• You must stack cards in alternating colors in descending order on the tableau.
• Draw from the stockpile if you can’t move any face-up cards on the tableau.

How to Move Cards

• You can place a face-up card on another card if it follows the alternating color rule.
• Move Kings to empty tableau columns to open up more plays.
• Once an Ace appears, move it to the foundation pile to start building up that suit.

What to Do When Stuck in Solitaire

There are 3 main options you can choose from:

1. Draw from the stockpile.
2. If no moves are left, reshuffle or start a new Solitaire game.
3. In Spider Solitaire, make sure to organize suits early on for better movement.

If you’re not that much into Solitaire, you can earn money by playing other games. In case it sounds interesting, make sure to check out games that allow you to make cash.

Conclusion

Setting up and playing Solitaire is easy and quite addictive once you get the hang of it. It’s a fun game that anyone can enjoy, regardless of your preferred playing situation. You can use a deck of real cards or play online Solitaire.If you’re a Solitaire maniac, you may have heard of a game called Solitaire Clash where you can allegedly make money. Before you download it, make sure to read our article to see if Solitaire Clash is legit.