Golf Solitaire is a fun and engaging card game that combines strategy and luck. Unlike traditional solitaire games, Golf Solitaire does not require you to stack cards in order by suit. Instead, the goal is to clear all the cards from the tableau by playing them in numerical order.
This guide will teach you the rules, strategies, and tips to help you master Golf Solitaire and improve your gameplay. Let’s get started!
The main goal of Golf Solitaire is to move all the cards from the tableau (the playing field) to the waste pile. You can remove cards one at a time if they are one rank higher or lower than the top card of the waste pile, regardless of suit. The game ends when you either clear all the cards or run out of moves.
Golf Solitaire is typically played with a standard 52-card deck (without jokers). The game setup is as follows:
7 columns of 5 face-up cards each are dealt onto the table.
The remaining deck is placed face-down as the draw pile.
The first card from the draw pile is placed face-up to start the waste pile.
You will remove cards from the tableau and place them onto the waste pile according to the rules.
If you run out of moves, you can draw a new card from the deck to continue the game.
Look at the top card of the waste pile.
Identify any card in the tableau that is one rank higher or lower than the waste pile card.
Example: If the waste pile card is a 7, you can move either a 6 or an 8 onto it.
Once you find a valid move, place that card from the tableau onto the waste pile.
Continue making moves as long as possible.
If there are no valid moves, draw the next card from the draw pile and place it on the waste pile.
Repeat the process until you either clear the tableau or run out of draw pile cards.
You win if you successfully remove all cards from the tableau before running out of draw pile cards.
You lose if you cannot make any more moves and still have cards left in the tableau.
Before making a move, look at multiple options and choose the one that will free up the most future moves.
Avoid unnecessary moves that could block potential plays.
Removing entire columns opens up more space and increases your chances of winning.
Focus on columns with the fewest remaining cards.
Use the draw pile only when you have no other options.
Relying on the draw pile too early can limit your ability to make future moves.
Since Aces and Kings can only connect to one other card, they can block moves if played too soon.
Try to save them for when they create more moves instead of using them immediately.
If you have a choice between two possible moves, pick the card that allows for more future plays rather than just an immediate move.
There are a few common variations of Golf Solitaire that add extra challenges and fun:
Similar to Golf Solitaire but played with a different layout shaped like three pyramids.
Instead of stacking cards in columns, the cards are arranged in a pyramid shape, and players must remove pairs of cards that add up to 13.
In this version, you can go through the draw pile multiple times, making the game slightly easier.
Some variations include Jokers as wild cards, allowing players to use them at any time to replace a needed card.
Golf Solitaire is a simple yet strategic game that offers quick and engaging gameplay. The combination of luck and planning makes it enjoyable for both casual and experienced players. Since each round is relatively short, you can play multiple games in one sitting without getting bored.
Whether you're looking for a way to relax, improve your card skills, or challenge yourself, Golf Solitaire is a great choice. Now that you know the rules and strategies, it’s time to start playing and see how many rounds you can win!