Plan the Colonel deal from the first card to the final foundation.
Treat each vertical set of three cells as a dependency chain. Clearing a lower cell unlocks access to the card directly above it.
Last updated: September 2026
Understand the opening deal
Thirty-six cards are dealt face up in three rows of twelve. A card in an upper row becomes available when the cell beneath it is empty; the remaining cards form the stock.
Treat each vertical set of three cells as a dependency chain. Clearing a lower cell unlocks access to the card directly above it.
Choose moves that open useful cards
Only an available top card may move. Build tableau cards downward by suit, moving toward a higher row, and build eight suit foundations upward from Ace.
A same-suit move can improve the layout even if it does not advance a foundation, provided it empties a blocking lower cell.
Avoid the main trap
Do not spend an accessible low card on a placement that leaves several upper cards sealed. The grid changes which cards are truly available.
When two moves look equally productive, prefer the one that leaves more playable pile tops or exposes another card. Check the destination against the next foundation ranks before committing.
Convert the position into a win
Late in the game, inspect every newly opened upper cell before drawing. A single release may uncover a run of foundation plays.
Clear the grid and stock into the eight foundations.
Practice the decision points
Use Undo to compare two plausible moves from the same deal. The visible seed lets you restart and test whether a different opening creates more available cards later.