Solitaire is arguably one of the most popular card games. With the game finding raging popularity in the 90s, it has now evolved into the online format, with various apps providing safe and entertaining platforms for players from across the country to enjoy their favorite game of solitaire.
The objective of solitaire is to arrange the four suits of cards on four foundations in ascending order. Usually, this has to happen within a limited number of moves or within a specific amount of time. At the face of it, solitaire is a pretty simple game with quite straightforward rules. However, there is quite a bit of strategy and skill that goes into playing solitaire. One wrong move and you can kiss your chance to win the game goodbye. Knowing the rules and strategies like the back of your hand is what makes or breaks your game while playing online, especially if you are playing multiplayer games for real money.
Here are a few solitaire game tips and tricks to maximize your chances of winning the game.
- Expose a card from the stockpile as a first move
In the tableau column, you can only stack cards in descending order of rank and in opposite colors. Ideally, you want to reveal as many cards as you can to arrange them efficiently. By revealing a card at the start of the game you increase your chance of being able to make a great move.
Remember, the more cards revealed, the better chances of making strategic moves.
- Play cards in the larger piles first
In your quest to find hidden cards, keep in mind to first use columns with more cards. It is important to use the large columns of hidden cards as soon as you can. This way, you reveal cards that can actually prove to be useful in building the foundation pile faster.
- Never leave a spot empty without a king in place
It’s a rookie mistake often made by players. Avoid emptying tableau piles just so that you can remove all cards from that spot. Without a king available to replace that, the spot and column will remain empty, as tableau piles can only be built with a king at the top. This only blocks off the entire column till you reveal a king again.
- Play your kings wisely
The choice of using a red or black king to head a pile is a big decision. The color you choose will set the tone for that pile for the rest of the game. Always strategize a few turns ahead and use the king that will help reveal the most cards.
A black king will require a red queen, a black jack, a red 10 and so on, while a red king will require a black queen, a red jack and so on. Check which king has more cards in the corresponding colors to work with and make your move. This will ensure easy stacking later.
- Don’t be hasty in building the foundation stacks
This can come as a counterintuitive tip. However, being hasty about moving cards from the tableau pile to the foundation pile can lead to problems later on in the game, when you need cards to move around in the tableau piles. Once you move a card into the foundation pile, you cannot use it anymore, putting you in a tough spot.
- Put away the aces and twos as soon as possible
Do not keep the aces and twos or deuces waiting around in the stockpile or tableau column. Move them onto the foundation pile right away. Usually aces and deuces cannot help you reveal hidden cards. This is considered one of the best moves in the game.
- Be picky about moving cards
Remember, your objective must be to reveal as many cards in the hidden stack as possible. It will be tempting to move cards from pile to pile to slowly build up tableau piles. This could be what leads to your downfall in the game. The problem arises when you lock valuable cards of different colors behind cards of lower value. So the next time you play, hold the urge to build multiple tableau piles by shuffling cards unnecessarily.
- Have a strategy for the middle cards
The four middle cards are 5,6,7,and 8. These cards hold the structure of your tableau piles. Play them too early, and you will be left scrambling for cards towards the end of the game. In case you are planning to use them, ensure that at least one of these conditions are met.
- Playing a particular middle card will reveal a card immediately or it will make way for a move to free another card.
- The card will be played in that particular column for the first time.
- There is no other option but to make that move.
Conclusion
Ready to test out these tips and tricks in your next solitaire game? Here is another golden tip before you take off. Always choose a safe and legal platform to play solitaire online, especially when you play to win real money. You can download Solitaire Gold, which is the only certified and popular app that allows you to play real money games and win cash prizes. Happy gaming!