What is Skill-Based Solitaire?
Skill-based solitaire is a unique take on the classic game where multiple players compete using the same deck of cards. Everyone gets the same card sequence, so it's all about strategy and skill rather than luck. Players race against the clock to make the best moves and submit their score before the time runs out, adding a fair and exciting twist to the competition! The winner is the player with the highest score.
How to play
Overview
Like classic solitaire, your goal is to organize a shuffled deck into four ascending piles. Flip over the cards and make strategic moves to clear the table and get the highest score possible before time runs out.
Table setup
You’ll start with a standard 52-card deck. The deck is shuffled and dealt into seven columns: the first column has one card, the second has two, and so on. The top card in each column is face-up, while the others are face-down. These seven piles are called the “tableau.”
The draw pile is on the top right, holding the remaining cards. The top left is reserved for your four ace piles, one for each suit.
Note: all players in a competition receive the same deck!
Build ace piles
When you uncover an ace, place it in one of the ace piles. Continue adding cards of the same suit in ascending order. For example, after placing the ace of hearts, you can add the 2 of hearts, then the 3, and so on, up to the king.
Move cards
To fill all ace piles, sort the cards in the tableau and draw pile. You can move a card onto another in the tableau if it's one rank lower and of a different color.
For example, a red 5 can only go on a black 6. You can also move stacked cards in groups. For instance, stack a black 7 on a red 8, then move that stack onto a black 9.
When you move a card in the tableau, you might uncover a face-down card, which will then be flipped face-up for use.
Use the draw pile
If you can't make any moves in the tableau, use the draw pile to get one new card. If you can use a card from the draw pile, drag it or tap it to the tableau or ace piles. You can keep turning over cards from the draw pile until you find a usable one.
Create empty tableau slots
Clearing tableau slots as you play allows you to uncover face-down cards and create space for moving cards around. Only kings or stacks starting with kings can be placed in empty tableau slots.
Game start
The game begins when you tap the play button. Your timer will start counting down and you have 6 minutes to complete your turn.
Game end
The game ends when all 52 cards are revealed and moved to the ace piles, or when no more moves are possible. Tap the ‘End’ button to submit your score if you think there are no more moves possible.
The winner is decided based on who gets the highest score. It can take up to 12 hours to be matched with an opponent, but most matching making occurs within minutes.
Scoring
Foundation Streak: The most points are earned by placing cards consecutively on the foundations. Each subsequent card placed on the foundation, perpetuates a “Streak”, which gives an additional +5 points:
20 points for the first card
25 points for the second card
30 points for the third card
and so on, increasing by 5 points for each consecutive card in the series.
Therefore, the player must skillfully continue placing cards in order. Since more consecutive cards means a higher score.
Tableau: Placing a card on the Tableau gives 10 points, as does revealing one. It is necessary to solve the puzzle but interrupts the “Foundation Streak”. So players must plan their moves to maximise the Streak potential
Resetting the draw pile: Resetting the draw pile results in a deduction of 100 points. Skilled players significantly reduce the number of times they reset the draw pile.
Undo Button: Players do not lose points for using the Undo button, so they can use it freely to optimize their moves. It can be used to check what is under the cards and to revert to previous moves if necessary.
Hint Button: Hints are available without losing points, but they may not always suggest the best move, so wise players use them judiciously.
Players must finish the game within a time limit. If the time runs out, their current score is recorded as their final result. Players can surrender at any time by clicking the flag button, which saves their current score as their final result.
Tips
Scoring System: Focus on placing cards consecutively on the Foundations for maximum points. Each consecutive card placed increases the points (20, 25, 30, etc.). Placing a card on a Tableau pile breaks the streak.
Strategic Moves: Aim to finish with a long streak of cards on the Foundations. Only play cards to the Foundations when necessary to keep options open.
Streak Importance: One long streak scores higher than multiple short streaks. For example, one six-card streak scores 195 points compared to two three-card streaks scoring 150 points.
Draw pile vs. Tableau: Deals with Aces in the draw pile have higher score potential. Avoid playing Aces to the Foundations early unless necessary.
Use Undo: The Undo button is free to use. Use it to explore the draw pile and make strategic decisions without penalty. Consider writing down draw pile cards for reference.
Double-Check Options: When faced with multiple options, use Undo to explore all possibilities. Be cautious of undoing past resetting the draw pile to avoid -100 points.
Draw Pile Management: Before playing a Tableau card to the Foundations, scroll through the draw pile to find options and use Undo instead of resetting it.
Hint Button: Use the Hint button to check for missed moves, but be aware it may not always suggest the best play.
Extracting Suits: When the Hint suggests no options, you can often move parts of Tableau piles back and forth to free cards and continue playing.