If you're a fan of solitaire games and looking for a variation that adds unique structure and rules, Royal Rendezvous Solitaire offers a refreshing and brain-teasing experience. Though less well-known than Klondike or Spider Solitaire, Royal Rendezvous delivers a clever mix of foundation building and tableau planning that makes it stand out from traditional formats.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through how to play Royal Rendezvous Solitaire, covering the setup, rules, strategies, and tips to help you master this elegant and royal-themed game.
Royal Rendezvous is a one-deck solitaire card game that involves building eight foundations in two distinct ways: four build up in twos (2, 4, 6...) and four build down in twos (King, Jack, 9...). This twist on foundation-building creates a puzzle-like challenge where planning and timing are key.
Your goal is to move all 52 cards to the foundations following their respective building patterns while managing the tableau and stockpile wisely.
A standard 52-card deck is used.
Eight foundation piles are placed in two rows:
The upper four start with twos and build up in even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q).
The lower four start with Kings and build down in odd numbers (K, J, 9, 7, 5, 3, A).
Thirteen tableau piles are laid out, each receiving three cards (some may use two cards depending on variation).
The remaining cards form the stockpile, which you draw from during gameplay.
Build the upper foundations starting from 2, increasing by twos: 2 → 4 → 6 → 8 → 10 → Q (same suit).
Build the lower foundations starting from K, decreasing by twos: K → J → 9 → 7 → 5 → 3 → A (same suit).
Suits must match during all foundation building.
Tableau cards can be played to foundations at any time, if legal.
Only the top card of each tableau pile is accessible.
There is no building within the tableau (i.e., no stacking cards on each other).
Empty tableau spaces cannot be filled.
Cards from the stockpile are drawn one at a time.
Unused cards go into a waste pile, and you can go through the stock only once.
You win Royal Rendezvous Solitaire by moving all 52 cards onto the eight foundation piles according to their specific build sequences and suits.
Given the game’s strict rules no tableau movement and one stock pass—it’s important to plan each move carefully, or you risk running out of legal plays.
Since Royal Rendezvous is more rigid than many solitaire games, smart decision-making is critical. Here are several strategies to help improve your success rate:
Always remember the build sequences:
Upward Foundations: 2 → 4 → 6 → 8 → 10 → Q
Downward Foundations: K → J → 9 → 7 → 5 → 3 → A
Memorizing these sequences will help you avoid mistakes when choosing which cards to play.
If a card can be moved to a foundation, it often should be. You don’t have many ways to uncover buried cards, so clearing tableau tops is essential.
Foundation builds must follow suit, so even if you see a card that fits the sequence numerically, check if the suit matches before making the move.
You only get one pass through the stock. Avoid wasting it on moves that don’t help the foundations. Sometimes it's better to hold off on drawing and analyze the tableau instead.
If you draw a card from the stock that can’t go to a foundation yet, you may be forced to place it on a tableau pile. Be cautious it could block access to more important cards.
Royal Rendezvous Solitaire is ideal for players who enjoy more rule-intensive and logic-heavy solitaire formats. Its unique alternating number sequences make it a mental challenge that feels different from typical stacking-based games.
If you’re someone who likes solving puzzles and prefers a game where every card matters, Royal Rendezvous offers a satisfying and structured experience. Each win feels well-earned due to the precision required.
Royal Rendezvous Solitaire might seem tough at first, but once you grasp the foundation patterns and learn to manage the limited stock, it becomes a highly rewarding solitaire game. The dual foundation concept and the strict no-move tableau make every decision meaningful.
So if you’re ready for a regal twist on traditional solitaire, give Royal Rendezvous a try it just might become your new favorite challenge.