1. Study the tableau before you move
Scan every pile and mentally map potential sequences before committing to a move. Look for chains that will let you reveal face-down cards, open spaces, or free up critical ranks. A 5-second scan at the start can save you from a dead end later.
2. Prioritise uncovering hidden cards
Hidden cards are flexible. When choosing between a neat foundation build and a move that flips a face-down card, pick the flip more often than not. More visible options reduce the risk of locking key ranks underneath awkward stacks.
3. Build on the foundations strategically
Resist the urge to auto-send every possible card to the foundations. Keeping a few middling ranks in the tableau can preserve options for building down in alternating colours. If moving a card forward reduces tableau mobility, hold it back.
4. Manage the stock and waste with intent
Track what cycles through the waste. If you cannot use a crucial card on this pass, plan where you will place enabling cards so the next cycle lines up. Some players keep a brief note of blocker cards until this rhythm becomes second nature.
5. Use undo to learn patterns in digital play
If you are practising on a computer or mobile app, the undo button is a training tool. Explore branches, backtrack, and compare outcomes. You will quickly develop instincts for move orders that create more options rather than fewer.
6. Be deliberate with King placement
Empty tableau spaces are powerful. Filling them with the first available King can be tempting, but wait for a King that supports the longest potential build beneath it. A well-chosen King can unlock multiple flips over several turns.
7. Keep foundations balanced across suits
Advancing one suit far ahead can strand necessary cards in the tableau. Aim to raise foundations in a rough parallel. Balanced progress keeps your build-down options open and reduces situations where only a single move exists.
8. Review each game for quick lessons
After a loss, ask what single decision limited your options most. Was it an early foundation push, a hasty King placement, or an ignored flip opportunity? A short reflection habit steadily raises your win rate.
9. Practise with quality resources
Rotate between rule references and playable platforms to sharpen both knowledge and execution. Two reliable rule sources are
Wikipedia on Canfield and
Pagat: Canfield rules.
For hands-on practice, try
Solitaire Paradise or
World of Solitaire.
10. Stay calm and patient
Demon Patience rewards composure. Accept that many seeds are unwinnable, and focus on extracting maximum value from the playable ones. Measured decisions beat speed. When in doubt, pause, scan, and re-evaluate the tableau goals.
Quick reference checklist
- Scan first, then move.
- Flip hidden cards whenever feasible.
- Delay foundations that reduce flexibility.
- Track waste cycles and plan the next pass.
- Choose Kings that enable long builds.
- Advance foundations evenly across suits.
- Review one key decision after each game.
Further reading on The Very Best Top 10
Enjoy card-themed lists and curiosities from around the site: