Solitaire games have been a favorite pastime for card game lovers for centuries. Fan Solitaire is a unique variation that features an open tableau layout and requires strategic thinking to win. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide will walk you through how to play Fan Solitaire games step by step.
Fan Solitaire is a patience card game where the cards are dealt into small, fan-like piles with all cards face-up. The objective is to move all cards to the foundation piles in the correct order while following specific rules.
La Belle Lucie – The most common version, played with 18 small piles of three cards each.
Trefoil – A slightly more forgiving variation that allows more moves.
Clover Leaf – A version with an easier gameplay experience.
To play Fan Solitaire, you will need a standard 52-card deck (Jokers removed). The game is set up as follows:
Shuffle and deal all 52 cards face-up into 17 small piles, with each pile containing three cards, except for the last pile, which has only one card.
The four foundation piles start empty and will be built up in ascending order from Ace to King, following the same suit.
You can move cards only one at a time, placing them on a higher-ranked card of the same suit.
Empty spaces cannot be filled (in most versions).
If no moves are possible, some versions allow shuffling the tableau a limited number of times to create new opportunities.
Objective: Move all the cards to the foundation piles in ascending order, grouped by suit.
Move one card at a time either to a foundation pile or onto another card in the tableau.
Cards can only be placed on top of a card of the same suit and exactly one rank higher (e.g., move ♠4 onto ♠5).
Aces should be placed in the foundation piles immediately when available.
If no moves are available, some versions allow reshuffling the tableau up to three times.
Empty piles cannot be refilled, making it crucial to plan your moves wisely.
Plan Your Moves Carefully – Since all cards are visible, think ahead before making a move. Avoid blocking key cards.
Prioritize the Foundations – Moving Aces and low-ranked cards to the foundation early helps free up space.
Keep Tableau Flexible – Avoid stacking cards in a way that limits future moves.
Use Shuffling Wisely – If your version allows shuffling, save it for when you have no other possible moves.
A Challenging and Strategic Game – Requires skill and planning rather than pure luck.
Quick and Engaging – Games tend to be shorter than other solitaire variations.
Great for Mental Stimulation – Helps improve focus, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Fan Solitaire offers a perfect blend of relaxation and mental challenge. Whether you choose to play the classic La Belle Lucie or a more flexible variation like Trefoil, this game is a fantastic choice for solitaire lovers.