21 Best Single Player Card Games to Play Alone (One-Player)

Looking for the best single player card games to enjoy during your downtime? Whether you’re waiting for an appointment, relaxing at home, or simply want to exercise your brain, solo card games offer the perfect blend of entertainment and mental stimulation.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover 21 exciting card games you can play by yourself, from classic favorites to hidden gems. We’ll cover everything from simple games for beginners to challenging strategy games for experienced players.

What Are Single Player Card Games?

Single player card games, also known as solitaire games or patience games, are card games designed to be played alone. While many people associate card games with social gatherings, solo card games have been enjoyed for centuries as a way to pass time, sharpen the mind, and provide entertainment without needing other players.

The term “solitaire” comes from the French word meaning “alone” or “solitary.” Today, there are hundreds of different solitaire variations, each with unique rules, difficulty levels, and strategic depth.

Why Play Solo Card Games?

• Improve concentration and focus
• Develop strategic thinking skills
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Portable entertainment anywhere
• No scheduling needed—play on your time
• Perfect for improving patience and problem-solving

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Most single player card games require minimal equipment:

• Standard 52-card deck (for most games)
• Two decks (for some advanced games)
• Flat surface (table or desk)
• Good lighting
• Optional: Pen and paper (for scoring in some games)

Tip: Invest in quality playing cards with a good finish. Bicycle or Bee playing cards are excellent choices that shuffle smoothly and last longer.

Benefits of Playing Solo Card Games

Playing single player card games offers numerous cognitive and emotional benefits:

Mental Benefits:

• Improves memory – Remembering card positions and sequences
• Enhances problem-solving – Finding the best moves
• Boosts concentration – Maintaining focus throughout the game
• Develops pattern recognition – Identifying winning strategies

Emotional Benefits:

• Reduces stress – Meditative, calming activity
• Builds patience – Learning to think before acting
• Provides accomplishment – Satisfaction from winning
• Offers escapism – Brief mental break from daily pressures

Practical Benefits:

• No internet required – Perfect for travel or power outages
• Budget-friendly – One deck provides endless entertainment
• Flexible timing – Play for 5 minutes or an hour
• Age-appropriate – Suitable for kids, adults, and seniors

Easy Solo Card Games for Beginners

If you’re new to single player card games, start with these simple options:

Best Starter Games:

1. Clock Solitaire – Simple, luck-based, takes 5-10 minutes
2. Pyramid – Easy to learn, visual appeal, moderate strategy
3. Accordion – Quick setup, straightforward rules
4. Monte Carlo – Pattern matching, minimal strategy needed
5. Bowling Solitaire – Fun scoring system, easy to understand

These games have simple rules, quick gameplay, and are perfect for learning the basics of solo card play.

Quick Games (Under 15 Minutes)

Short on time? These games offer complete gameplay in 15 minutes or less:

• Accordion (5-10 minutes)
• Clock Solitaire (5-10 minutes)
• Pyramid (10-15 minutes)
• Monte Carlo (10-15 minutes)
• Devil’s Grip (10-15 minutes)

Perfect for coffee breaks, waiting rooms, or when you need a quick mental reset.

Strategy-Heavy Games for Experienced Players

For players seeking more challenge and strategic depth:

• FreeCell – Nearly every game is winnable with perfect play
• Spider Solitaire – Complex multi-suit strategy
• Napoleon at St. Helena – Requires careful planning
• Beleaguered Castle – Tactical decision-making
• Canfield Solitaire – Low win rate, high difficulty

These games reward patience, planning, and strategic thinking. Many experienced players spend years mastering these variations.

Complete Game Guide: 21 Single Player Card Games

1. Klondike Solitaire

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Klondike is the most popular solitaire game in North America and what most people think of when they hear “solitaire.” Many computer operating systems include this version by default.

How to Play Klondike:

Setup:

1. Shuffle a standard 52-card deck
2. Deal 7 tableau piles from left to right
   • First pile: 1 card (face up)
   • Second pile: 2 cards (top card face up)
   • Third pile: 3 cards (top card face up)
   • Continue until seventh pile has 7 cards (top card face up)
3. Place remaining cards face-down as the stock pile
4. Leave space for 4 foundation piles above

Objective: Build all four suits from Ace to King in the foundation piles.

Rules:

• Turn over cards from the stock pile (1 or 3 at a time, depending on difficulty)
• Build tableau piles in descending order, alternating red and black
• Only Kings can be placed in empty tableau spaces
• Move cards to foundations when possible (Ace first, then 2, 3, 4… through King)

Winning Strategy:

• Expose face-down cards as your top priority
• Don’t automatically move cards to foundations—sometimes keeping them in play provides more options
• Empty tableau spaces are valuable—use them strategically
• Try to create long runs of alternating colors

Win Rate: Approximately 1 in 30 games with random shuffles

2. Spider Solitaire

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 20-30 minutes | Decks: 2

Spider Solitaire is a challenging game that became extremely popular through Microsoft Windows. It offers three difficulty levels based on the number of suits used.

How to Play Spider Solitaire:

Setup:

1. Use two complete 52-card decks shuffled together
2. Deal 54 cards into 10 tableau piles:
   • First 4 piles: 6 cards each
   • Last 6 piles: 5 cards each
   • Only the top card in each pile is face up
3. Place remaining 50 cards as the stock

Objective: Build 8 complete sequences from King down to Ace within the tableau. Completed sequences are automatically removed.

Rules:

• Move cards between tableau piles in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, etc.)
• Cards don’t need to alternate color, but must match suit to move as a group
• Any card can fill an empty tableau space
• Click stock to deal one card to each tableau pile when stuck
• Must have at least one card in each tableau pile before dealing from stock

Difficulty Levels:

• 1 Suit (Easy): All cards are Spades
• 2 Suits (Medium): Half Spades, half Hearts
• 4 Suits (Expert): Full two-deck game with all suits

Winning Strategy:

• Focus on clearing entire columns to create empty spaces
• Build complete sequences in-suit when possible
• Use empty columns strategically—they’re your most powerful tool
• Try to expose all face-down cards before dealing new cards
• Don’t deal from stock unless absolutely necessary

3. FreeCell

Difficulty: Medium-Hard | Time: 10-20 minutes | Decks: 1

FreeCell is unique among solitaire games because almost every deal (99.99%) is solvable with perfect play. This makes it a game of pure skill rather than luck.

How to Play FreeCell:

Setup:

1. Deal all 52 cards face-up into 8 tableau columns:
   • First 4 columns: 7 cards each
   • Last 4 columns: 6 cards each
2. Leave space for 4 “free cells” (temporary storage) at top-left
3. Leave space for 4 foundation piles at top-right

Objective: Build all four foundations from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Move one card at a time from tableau or free cells
• Build tableau in descending order, alternating colors
• Any card can be moved to an empty free cell
• Only Kings can be placed in empty tableau columns
• Move cards to foundations in ascending order by suit

The Key Mechanic: You can only move as many cards together as you have free cells plus empty columns. For example:

• 2 free cells + 1 empty column = move up to 4 cards at once
• 4 free cells + 2 empty columns = move up to 8 cards at once

Winning Strategy:

• Plan several moves ahead before committing
• Keep free cells available—don’t fill them unnecessarily
• Create empty columns as soon as possible
• Move cards to foundations when it doesn’t limit future options
• Work on exposing buried low cards early
• Be patient—rushing leads to dead ends

Try FreeCell Online: Practice your skills at Solitaired.com’s FreeCell game

For more two-player gaming options when you have a friend available, check out our guide on best 3-player card games.

4. Pyramid Solitaire

Difficulty: Easy-Medium | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Pyramid is a mathematical solitaire game with simple rules and visual appeal. It’s perfect for players who enjoy number puzzles.

How to Play Pyramid:

Setup:

1. Shuffle a standard 52-card deck
2. Deal 28 cards into a pyramid shape:
   • Row 1: 1 card
   • Row 2: 2 cards (overlapping bottom of row 1)
   • Row 3: 3 cards (overlapping row 2)
   • Continue to Row 7: 7 cards
3. Each row should overlap the row above, blocking cards
4. Place remaining 24 cards as stock pile

Objective: Remove all cards from the pyramid by matching pairs that equal 13.

Card Values:

• Ace = 1
• 2-10 = Face value
• Jack = 11
• Queen = 12
• King = 13 (removed alone)

Rules:

• Only “exposed” cards (not covered by other cards) can be played
• Match two exposed cards that total 13 and remove them
• Kings are removed immediately since they equal 13 alone
• Draw from stock when no matches available in pyramid
• Can match stock card with pyramid card or with previous stock card

Example Pairs:

• Ace (1) + Queen (12) = 13
• 2 + Jack (11) = 13
• 3 + 10 = 13
• 4 + 9 = 13
• 5 + 8 = 13
• 6 + 7 = 13

Winning Strategy:

• Prioritize removing cards that block multiple cards underneath
• Don’t automatically remove Kings—sometimes they’re blocking important cards
• Plan 2-3 moves ahead to avoid blocking yourself
• Count remaining pairs to know if the game is still winnable

5. Canfield Solitaire

Difficulty: Very Hard | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Canfield has one of the lowest win rates of any solitaire game, reportedly around 1 in 30 games. It was named after casino owner Richard Canfield who allegedly sold decks for $50 and paid $5 for each card in the foundation when players gave up.

How to Play Canfield:

Setup:

1. Deal 13 cards face-down as the “reserve pile,” turn the top card face-up
2. Deal 4 cards face-up in a row as the tableau
3. Turn over the next card and place it to start the first foundation
4. All other foundations must start with cards of the same rank
5. Remaining cards form the stock pile

Objective: Build all four foundations up by suit (wrapping from King to Ace).

Rules:

• Turn cards from stock in groups of 3
• Build tableau piles down by alternating colors
• Play top card of reserve whenever possible
• Empty tableau spaces can only be filled from the reserve
• Foundations build up by suit (if foundation starts with 5, build 6, 7, 8… K, A, 2, 3, 4)

Why It’s So Hard:

• Reserve cards are locked in order—can’t rearrange them
• Limited tableau building options
• Foundation starting rank is random
• Many games become impossible within a few moves

Winning Strategy:

• Move cards from reserve as quickly as possible
• Create tableau runs to unlock more reserve cards
• Be selective about foundation moves—sometimes keeping cards in play is better
• Track which cards are buried to assess winnability

6. TriPeaks Solitaire

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Also known as Tri Towers or Three Peaks, this game combines elements of Pyramid and Golf solitaire. It’s fast-paced and entertaining.

How to Play TriPeaks:

Setup:

1. Deal 18 cards face-down in three overlapping pyramids:
   • Each pyramid has 4 cards at base
   • 3 cards in next row
   • 2 cards in next row
   • 1 peak card
2. Deal 10 cards face-up above the pyramids
3. Turn 1 card face-up as the foundation starter
4. Remaining cards are the stock

Objective: Remove all cards from the three peaks.

Rules:

• Remove exposed peak cards that are one rank higher or lower than foundation card
• Suit doesn’t matter—only rank
• Aces can connect with Kings (wrapping)
• Draw from stock when no plays available
• Each card played from peaks earns points

Scoring:

• Each card removed: +1 point
• Completing a peak: +15 bonus points
• Cards remaining in stock: +5 points each
• Goal: Remove all peak cards for maximum score

Winning Strategy:

• Plan sequences carefully—longer chains score more points
• Prioritize cards blocking multiple other cards
• Save stock cards as long as possible
• Look for long sequences (5+ cards) for high scores

7. Accordion Solitaire

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 5-10 minutes | Decks: 1

Accordion is a quick, compact game named for how the cards “fold together” like an accordion instrument. It has simple rules but requires attention to patterns.

How to Play Accordion:

Setup:

1. Shuffle the deck
2. You’re ready to start—no initial layout needed

Objective: Compress all 52 cards into a single pile.

Rules:

1. Deal cards one at a time from left to right in a row
2. A card (or pile) can move onto another pile if they match in:
   • Suit (both Hearts, both Clubs, etc.), OR
   • Rank (both 7s, both Queens, etc.)
3. Cards can only move LEFT:
   • Onto the immediately adjacent card/pile (1 position left), OR
   • Onto the card/pile 3 positions to the left
4. Always move the rightmost possible card/pile
5. Continue until you can’t make any more moves

Example Sequence:

Deal: 7♥ | 7♦ | 3♥ | K♠
Move: 7♦ onto 7♥ (same rank, 1 left)
Result: [7♥,7♦] | 3♥ | K♠
Move: 3♥ onto [7♥,7♦] (same suit as 7♥, 1 left)  
Result: [7♥,7♦,3♥] | K♠

Winning Strategy:

• Always check 3-left before 1-left moves
• Think ahead about which move creates more future options
• Most games won’t reduce to a single pile—don’t be discouraged
• Getting down to 5-10 piles is considered a good game

Variations:

• Some players deal all cards first, then start compressing
• Others compress as they deal (recommended for beginners)

8. Clock Solitaire

Difficulty: Very Easy | Time: 5 minutes | Decks: 1

Clock Solitaire is one of the easiest and fastest single player card games. It’s almost entirely luck-based, making it perfect for beginners or quick entertainment.

How to Play Clock:

Setup:

1. Deal 13 piles of 4 cards each, all face-down
2. Arrange 12 piles in a circle like a clock:
   • 12 o’clock = Queen
   • 1 o’clock = Ace
   • 2-10 o’clock = numbered cards 2-10
   • 11 o’clock = Jack
3. Place the 13th pile in the center = Kings

Objective: Turn over all cards before turning over the 4th King.

Rules:

1. Start by flipping the top card from the center King pile
2. Place that card face-up under its corresponding position:
   • Ace → 1 o’clock position
   • 2 → 2 o’clock position
   • Jack → 11 o’clock
   • Queen → 12 o’clock
   • King → center pile
3. Flip the top card from that pile
4. Continue until either:
   • All cards are face-up (YOU WIN!), or
   • You flip the 4th King before all other cards are up (you lose)

Why It’s Fun:

• Extremely fast gameplay
• No decisions to make—purely mechanical
• Meditative and relaxing
• Great for kids learning card values

Win Rate: About 1 in 13 games (completely luck-based)

Educational Use: Perfect for teaching children about numbers and following sequential instructions.

9. Monte Carlo Solitaire

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Also called “Weddings” or “Double and Quits,” Monte Carlo is a matching game with simple rules and satisfying gameplay.

How to Play Monte Carlo:

Setup:

1. Shuffle the deck
2. Deal 25 cards face-up in a 5×5 grid
3. Keep remaining 27 cards as stock

Objective: Remove all cards from the deck by matching pairs of the same rank.

Rules:

1. Remove any two cards of the same rank that are adjacent to each other
   • Adjacent means: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally touching
2. After removing pairs, consolidate the grid:
   • Slide cards left to fill gaps
   • Move cards up to fill gaps
   • Maintain reading order (left to right, top to bottom)
3. Deal new cards from stock to fill empty spaces (always fill to 25 cards)
4. Continue until all cards are removed or no more pairs exist

Example Pairs:

• Two 7s touching diagonally = Remove both
• Two Queens side-by-side = Remove both
• Two Aces vertically adjacent = Remove both

Winning Strategy:

• Don’t rush—scan the entire grid before removing pairs
• Sometimes removing one pair blocks another—choose wisely
• Try to remove pairs that will bring other matching cards together
• Corner cards are hardest to match—prioritize matching them when possible

Why It’s Popular:

• Visual and intuitive
• Requires some planning but not too difficult
• Good success rate keeps it satisfying
• Perfect for all ages

10. Golf Solitaire

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 10 minutes | Decks: 1

Golf Solitaire is named after the game of golf because lower scores are better. It’s a simple but strategic game perfect for quick play sessions.

How to Play Golf:

Setup:

1. Deal 7 columns of 5 cards each, all face-up (35 cards total)
2. Place one card face-up as the foundation starter
3. Keep remaining 16 cards as stock pile

Objective: Remove all cards from the seven columns. Lower cards remaining = better score.

Rules:

• Move column cards to foundation if they’re one rank higher or lower
• Suit doesn’t matter
• Aces are low (can connect with 2 or King)
• Kings can connect with Queens or Aces
• Only the bottom card of each column can be played
• Draw from stock when no plays available
• Each card remaining in columns = 1 penalty point

Example Play:

Foundation shows: 7
You can play: 6 or 8 from any column
If you play 8, next you can play: 7 or 9

Scoring:

• Each card remaining in the layout = +1 point
• Each card removed = 0 points
• Play 9 “holes” (deals) and compare total score
• Lower score wins!

Winning Strategy:

• Look ahead—sometimes not playing a card now opens better sequences
• Try to create long runs for maximum removal
• Don’t draw from stock too quickly
• Clearing entire columns opens up strategy options

11. Idiot Card Game

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 15-20 minutes | Decks: 1

Despite its name, the Idiot Card Game requires careful thought and strategic planning. Named after a Dostoyevsky novel, this Swedish solitaire game has a very low win rate.

How to Play Idiot:

Setup:

1. Deal 4 cards face-up in a row as foundation piles
2. Place remaining 48 cards as stock

Objective: Get all four Aces at the bottom of the four foundation piles.

Rules:

1. If multiple cards of the same suit are visible across the piles, discard all but the lowest card of that suit
2. Fill any gaps created by discards with cards from stock
3. Continue discarding and filling until stock is empty
4. Once stock is empty, you can move entire piles onto empty spaces
5. Win when all Aces are at the bottom

Why It’s Difficult:

• Many games become impossible within the first few moves
• Requires careful planning about discard order
• Very low win rate—hence the name
• Card order in the stock greatly affects winnability

Winning Strategy:

• Track which cards have been discarded
• Anticipate which cards might appear from stock
• Sometimes it’s better to delay certain discards
• Consider how creating empty spaces might help

Related: Learn more strategies for playing the Idiot Card Game on our dedicated guide.

12. Beehive Solitaire

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Beehive Solitaire is a traditional game that’s easy to learn but can be surprisingly challenging. The layout resembles a beehive with worker cards around it.

How to Play Beehive:

Setup:

1. Deal 10 cards in a pile face-down with only the top card face-up (this is the “beehive”)
2. Deal 6 cards face-up in two rows of 3 (these are “flower” or tableau cards)
3. Keep remaining cards as stock

Objective: Move all cards to four foundation piles, building from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Build foundations up by suit (Ace, 2, 3… to King)
• Move beehive top card to foundation when possible
• Build on flowers in descending order, alternating colors
• Only one card can be in each flower space
• Turn over stock cards one at a time
• Empty flower spaces can be filled from beehive, stock, or other flowers

Winning Strategy:

• Prioritize playing beehive cards
• Keep flower spaces flexible
• Don’t rush cards to foundations if they’re useful in play
• Track which cards remain in beehive

13. Beleaguered Castle

Difficulty: Medium-Hard | Time: 15-20 minutes | Decks: 1

Beleaguered Castle has one of the most interesting names in solitaire. It’s a strategic game where the four Aces form “castles” under siege.

How to Play Beleaguered Castle:

Setup:

1. Remove all four Aces and place them vertically in a column in the center
2. Deal remaining 48 cards into 8 rows of 6 cards each:
   • 4 rows to the left of the Aces
   • 4 rows to the right of the Aces
   • All cards face-up and slightly overlapping

Objective: Build all four Aces up to Kings by suit in the foundations.

Rules:

• Move the rightmost card from any row onto foundation if it’s the next card needed
• Move rightmost cards between rows if building down regardless of suit
• Empty rows can be filled with any available card
• Only one card moves at a time

Winning Strategy:

• Create empty rows early—they’re extremely valuable
• Plan several moves ahead
• Don’t block low cards you’ll need later
• Sometimes it’s better not to move to foundation immediately

Variations:

• Citadel: Start with cards in tableau instead of removing Aces first
• Streets and Alleys: Use entire deck in tableau, build foundations during play

14. Bowling Solitaire

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: Partial

Bowling Solitaire combines card play with bowling scoring, making it unique and fun for sports enthusiasts.

What You Need:

• Remove all face cards (J, Q, K) from deck
• Remove one additional suit entirely
• Use remaining 20 cards (A-10 in two suits)
• Paper and pencil for scoring

How to Play Bowling:

Setup:

1. Create a bowling scorecard with 10 frames
2. Shuffle your 20-card deck
3. Deal yourself a “hand” to play each frame

Objective: Score as high as possible using bowling rules.

Rules:

1. For each frame, flip cards looking for pairs that equal 10
   • Ace = 1, cards 2-10 = face value
2. Finding 10 = knocking down pins:
   • First try: Find two cards totaling 10 (remove them)
   • Second try: Find two more cards totaling 10 from remaining cards
3. Scoring:
   • Strike: Two pairs totaling 10 on first try = 10 + next frame’s total
   • Spare: One pair on first try, one on second = 10 + next flip
   • Open frame: Can’t make 10 = count pairs made
4. Play all 10 frames and total your score

Perfect Game: 300 points (same as bowling!)

Why It’s Fun:

• Familiar bowling scoring adds excitement
• More mathematical than typical solitaire
• Good for teaching addition to kids
• Competitive—try to beat your high score

15. Forty Thieves

Difficulty: Very Hard | Time: 20-30 minutes | Decks: 2

Forty Thieves is considered one of the most challenging solitaire games. It requires two decks and exceptional strategic planning.

How to Play Forty Thieves:

Setup:

1. Use two complete 52-card decks shuffled together
2. Deal 10 columns of 4 cards each, all face-up (40 cards = “the forty thieves”)
3. Leave space for 8 foundation piles above
4. Remaining 64 cards become stock

Objective: Build all 8 foundations from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Build tableau columns DOWN in the SAME SUIT only (very restrictive!)
• Only the top card of each column can move
• Move single cards only (no moving sequences)
• Empty columns can be filled with any card
• Turn stock cards one at a time (no recycling)
• Move cards to foundations when appropriate

Why It’s One of the Hardest:

• Same-suit building is extremely restrictive
• Can’t move multiple cards together
• Only one pass through the stock
• Very low win rate (estimated 5-10% with perfect play)

Winning Strategy:

• Empty columns are crucial—protect them carefully
• Plan 4-5 moves ahead minimum
• Don’t move cards to foundations if keeping them in play is more flexible
• Track which cards are buried to assess possibilities

16. Yukon Solitaire

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 15-25 minutes | Decks: 1

Yukon is similar to Klondike but with a unique twist: you can move sequences even if they’re not perfectly ordered, making it more strategic and less luck-dependent.

How to Play Yukon:

Setup:

1. Deal 7 tableau piles like Klondike:
   • Pile 1: 1 card face-up
   • Piles 2-7: First card face-down, rest face-up in cascading fashion
2. Deal remaining cards face-up on piles 2-7
3. No stock pile—all cards are in play from the start

Objective: Build four foundations from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Build tableau DOWN by alternating colors (like Klondike)
• ANY face-up card can be moved with all cards on top of it (even if they’re not in sequence!)
• Kings only can fill empty spaces
• Cards can be moved to foundations as appropriate

What Makes It Special:

• No stock pile—everything is visible from the start
• Can move any face-up card with its “pile” of cards on top
• Much more strategic than luck-based
• Nearly all deals are winnable with perfect play

Winning Strategy:

• Focus on turning over face-down cards
• Create empty columns for Kings
• Don’t automatically build foundations—flexibility is key
• Plan moves to maximize turning over hidden cards

17. Baker’s Dozen

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 15-20 minutes | Decks: 1

Baker’s Dozen is a strategic game with a high win rate when played carefully. It’s called Baker’s Dozen because all cards are dealt into 13 columns—13 being a “baker’s dozen.”

How to Play Baker’s Dozen:

Setup:

1. Deal all 52 cards into 13 columns of 4 cards each, all face-up
2. Special setup rule: Before starting, move any Kings to the bottom of their columns
3. Leave space above for 4 foundation piles

Objective: Build four foundations from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Only the top card of each column can be moved
• Build on columns in DESCENDING order, regardless of suit
• Empty columns CANNOT be filled—once empty, stays empty
• Build foundations up by suit starting with Aces

Why It’s Winnable:

• All cards visible from the start
• Most deals can be won with careful planning
• The King-to-bottom rule helps prevent immediate blocks

Winning Strategy:

• Since empty columns can’t be refilled, plan carefully before emptying one
• Look for buried Aces and low cards
• Build foundations steadily but strategically
• Create sequences that expose buried low cards

18. Scorpion Solitaire

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 15-25 minutes | Decks: 1

Scorpion Solitaire is unique because you can move partial sequences even when they’re not properly ordered, leading to complex strategic possibilities.

How to Play Scorpion:

Setup:

1. Deal 7 columns:
   • Columns 1-4: First 3 cards face-down, rest face-up
   • Columns 5-7: All cards face-up
2. Keep 3 cards as reserve (dealt later)

Objective: Build four complete sequences from King down to Ace within the tableau (in-suit).

Rules:

• Move any face-up card along with all cards on top of it (regardless of order)
• Build tableau DOWN in the SAME SUIT
• When a face-down card is exposed, turn it face-up
• Empty columns can ONLY be filled with Kings (with all cards on top)
• When stuck, deal the 3 reserve cards (one on each of the last 3 columns)
• Completed King-to-Ace sequences are NOT removed—they stay in play

Winning Strategy:

• Focus on exposing face-down cards
• Plan multi-move sequences carefully
• Save the reserve deal for when truly stuck
• Work on building long same-suit sequences
• Empty columns are powerful but limited to Kings

19. Gaps (Montana Solitaire)

Difficulty: Medium | Time: 10-15 minutes | Decks: 1

Gaps, also called Montana or Spaces, is a puzzle-like solitaire game with a unique mechanic focused on arranging cards in sequence using strategic gaps.

How to Play Gaps:

Setup:

1. Deal all 52 cards into 4 rows of 13 cards each, all face-up
2. Remove all four Aces, creating 4 gaps
3. Aces are out of play—they won’t return

Objective: Arrange each row in ascending order by suit, from 2 to King (with a gap at the end).

Rules:

• A gap can be filled by the card that’s one rank higher than the card to the LEFT of the gap
• The card must be the same suit as the card to its left
• Gaps to the left of a 2 can be filled by any 2
• Gaps to the right of a King CANNOT be filled (Kings block)
• When no more moves possible, gather cards not in correct position, shuffle, and redeal (usually get 2-3 redeals)

Example:

Row 1: [2♥][3♥][ gap ][5♦][6♦]...
Gap can be filled by 4♥ (one higher than 3♥, same suit)

Winning Strategy:

• Try to get 2s in the leftmost positions
• Avoid placing Kings until the end of a row
• Plan moves to create useful gaps
• Work on one suit at a time when possible

Win Rate: Approximately 1 in 20 with redeals

20. Calculation Solitaire

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 15-25 minutes | Decks: 1

Calculation is a mathematical solitaire game that rewards planning and memory. It’s one of the few solitaires where skill dramatically affects win rate.

How to Play Calculation:

Setup:

1. Remove one Ace, 2, 3, and 4 from the deck
2. Place these as foundation starters in a row
3. Keep remaining 48 cards as stock
4. Leave space for 4 discard piles below foundations

Objective: Build all four foundations to Kings following different patterns.

Foundation Building Rules:

• Foundation 1 (Ace): Build by 1s: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K
• Foundation 2 (Two): Build by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q, A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K
• Foundation 3 (Three): Build by 3s: 3, 6, 9, Q, 2, 5, 8, J, A, 4, 7, 10, K
• Foundation 4 (Four): Build by 4s: 4, 8, Q, 3, 7, J, 2, 6, 10, A, 5, 9, K

(Suits don’t matter—only the rank sequence)

Rules:

• Turn cards from stock one at a time
• Play to foundations following the patterns above
• If can’t play to foundation, place on one of 4 discard piles
• Only the top card of each discard pile is available
• No redeal—one pass through stock only

Winning Strategy:

• Memorize the four sequences
• Use discard piles strategically—reserve certain piles for specific cards
• Place Kings and Queens on discard piles carefully (they come last)
• Try to keep one discard pile for high cards
• Experienced players can win 50%+ of games

Why It’s Excellent:

• Pure skill game with minimal luck
• Improves memory and calculation
• High skill ceiling—experts win far more than beginners
• Extremely satisfying when you win

21. Cruel Solitaire

Difficulty: Hard | Time: 15-20 minutes | Decks: 1

Cruel Solitaire is aptly named—it’s a challenging game that seems almost cruel in how often it blocks you just before winning. Despite this, nearly all deals are theoretically winnable.

How to Play Cruel:

Setup:

1. Remove all four Aces and place them as foundations
2. Deal remaining 48 cards into 12 columns of 4 cards each, all face-up

Objective: Build all four foundations from Ace to King by suit.

Rules:

• Build foundations UP by suit (A, 2, 3… K)
• Build tableau DOWN by suit (opposite of most games!)
• Only the top card of each column can move
• Move one card at a time
• Empty columns are NOT refilled
• Special “redeal” mechanic: When stuck, gather all tableau cards (not foundations), shuffle, and redeal into 12 columns

Why It’s “Cruel”:

• Building down by suit is very restrictive
• Often get within a few cards of winning before blocking
• Redeals shuffle progress away
• Requires excellent planning

Winning Strategy:

• Don’t rush cards to foundations—keep flexibility
• Track which cards are buried under same-suit cards
• Use redeals strategically—timing matters
• Create empty columns for maneuverability
• Plan 5-6 moves ahead minimum

Quick Comparison Table: 21 Single Player Card Games

*With perfect play

Tips for Success: How to Win More Solo Card Games

General Strategy Tips:

1. Don’t Rush to Build Foundations
   • Keeping cards in play often provides more options
   • Move to foundations when it doesn’t limit flexibility
   • Exception: Aces and 2s can usually be moved immediately
2. Expose Hidden Cards First
   • Always prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards
   • Hidden cards are your biggest limitation
   • Plan moves that maximize card exposure
3. Manage Empty Spaces Carefully
   • Empty tableau spaces are extremely valuable
   • Only fill them with cards that unlock other moves
   • Kings are often best for empty spaces
4. Plan Multiple Moves Ahead
   • Think 3-5 moves ahead before committing
   • Consider how each move affects future options
   • Backtrack in your mind before physically moving cards
5. Learn the Probabilities
   • Know the win rates of different games
   • Understand which games reward skill vs. luck
   • Don’t get discouraged by low-win-rate games

Mental Approach:

• Stay Patient: Rushing leads to mistakes
• Accept Losses: Many solitaires have low win rates by design
• Learn from Defeats: Analyze what blocked you
• Take Breaks: Fresh eyes often see solutions
• Track Your Progress: Keep win/loss records to measure improvement

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Automatically moving Aces to foundations (sometimes keep them in play)
2. Forgetting to check all possible moves before acting
3. Filling empty spaces without a plan
4. Moving cards to foundations too aggressively
5. Not considering suit when multiple moves are available
6. Giving up too early on difficult games

Single Player Card Games Beyond Solitaire

While most single player card games fall under the “solitaire” category, there are some unique solo card games worth mentioning:

Onirim

A fantasy-themed card game where you navigate a dream labyrinth. Though technically a specialized deck game, it demonstrates the evolution of solo card gaming.

Friday

A deck-building survival game where Robinson Crusoe fights hazards. Requires a special deck but shows how solo card gaming has evolved.

One-Deck Dungeon

A roguelike dungeon crawler using custom cards, perfect for fantasy RPG fans who want solo play.

Note: These games require special decks but show the growing popularity of single-player card gaming. For traditional card games, stick with the 21 solitaire variations listed above using standard playing cards.

For more card gaming options when you have friends around, explore our collection of free card games to download and play offline.

FAQs About Single-Player Card Games

The History of Single Player Card Games

Single player card games have a rich history dating back centuries:

18th Century Europe: Patience games (as they were called) became popular among European nobility. Many believe they originated in Scandinavia or Germany.

19th Century: Solitaire gained widespread popularity across Europe and America. Wealthy families would play patience games in their parlors.

Late 1800s: Books began documenting solitaire rules, preserving hundreds of variants. Games like Klondike and Canfield emerged during this period.

Early 1900s: Canfield became particularly famous when casino owner Richard Canfield allegedly sold decks for $50 and paid out $5 per card in the foundation, making it a gambling game.

1990s Digital Revolution: Microsoft’s inclusion of Solitaire, FreeCell, and Spider Solitaire in Windows introduced these games to billions of computer users worldwide, creating a massive resurgence in popularity.

Modern Era: Today, solitaire apps are among the most-downloaded games globally, with millions playing daily on phones, tablets, and computers.

The bottom line: Your Solo Card Gaming Journey Starts Here

Single player card games offer endless entertainment, mental stimulation, and relaxation—all with just a deck of cards. Whether you’re a complete beginner starting with Clock Solitaire or an experienced player tackling Forty Thieves, there’s always a new challenge waiting.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with easy games like Pyramid, Monte Carlo, or Clock
• Practice regularly to improve your strategic thinking
• Don’t be discouraged by low win rates—many games are designed to be very difficult
• Explore different game types to find your favorites
• Use physical cards occasionally for a screen-free experience

Ready to Start Playing?

Pick one game from this guide that matches your skill level and give it a try today. Remember, the beauty of single player card games is that you can play anytime, anywhere, without needing anyone else.

The only equipment you need is a deck of cards and a few minutes of your time. So shuffle up, deal yourself in, and discover why millions of people worldwide enjoy these timeless solo games.

What’s your favorite single player card game? Have you tried any of the 21 games listed here? Start with the easier options and gradually work your way up to the challenging strategic games.

Happy playing, and may your foundations always build up successfully!

External Resources:

• Wikipedia’s List of Solitaires – Comprehensive solitaire terminology
• BoardGameGeek Solo Card Games – Community discussions and ratings

Gaming Hub: For more gaming content, tips, and guides, visit our Gaming Section for comprehensive coverage of card games, board games, and more.