Use each pair to bring new stock cards into view.
Good Thirteen starts with ten face-up cards and 42 in stock. Pair ranks totaling 13 or remove a King alone. Each removal refills empty cells from stock immediately while cards remain. The timing of those replacements changes which complements are available together.
Last updated: September 2026
Compare pairs by the cards they leave
Queen–Ace, Jack–Two, Ten–Three, Nine–Four, Eight–Five, and Seven–Six are the six pair types. Suits do not matter. If two visible pairs use the same complement, choosing one leaves a different card available when the stock refills their cells. Check the remaining board before deciding which rank to spend.
Suppose a Queen and two Aces are visible. Either Ace pairs with the Queen, but the other Ace stays. If a second Queen is buried in stock, saving an Ace may help later. Its exact arrival is unknown, so the immediate choice should also consider other visible pairs. A King can leave alone and triggers a one-cell refill.
Check balance after stock empties
Once the stock is empty, removals leave gaps. Each non-King card still needs a complement among the remaining visible cards. If the board has three Nines and no Fours, those Nines cannot all leave from that position. You win only after stock and board are empty.
Baroness also pairs to 13 but covers older cards with new five-card rows. Good Thirteen instead keeps its ten board cells open and refills gaps automatically.