How to Play Double Solitaire
Many solitaire free game lovers see solitaire as a casual exploration. But it’s more than that. It’s a skill-building exercise in observation and planning. One aspect that plays a part in your overall strategy is how the cards are dealt. However, when people talk about 'dealing Solitaire,' they refer to how the game appears before making any move. It’s about how the cards appear in the tableau columns, stockpile, and foundation piles. In online play, understanding the logic of the initial deal and card positions in solitaire gives players a crucial edge. This guide breaks down how Solitaire is dealt.
What It Means to 'Deal' Solitaire in Online Play
When talking about ‘dealing’ in digital solitaire, it means the starting point. This is how the cards appear before the game starts, and it determines your strategy and early decisions.
Dealing Is Instant and Automated
When playing digital solitaire, the dealing is done by the game itself. There’s no need to shuffle or even place the cards. Instead, the engine will generate solitaire initial layout automatically. This is often referred to as an auto-deal solitaire setup, which allows you to get into the game even faster, especially on platforms where you don’t need to download solitaire.
Why It Matters
So, why does dealing with Solitaire matter even when you’re not the one doing it manually? Knowing how the cards are dealt helps with reading the solitaire board. One of the most recommended tips for all types of players is to analyze the board before making the first move. Through a thorough analysis, you can identify your best opening move to dictate the pace and how the game will pan out.
How Solitaire Is Dealt – Klondike Example
Knowing how Solitaire is dealt gives you a greater understanding of smarter play.
Tableau Layout
Klondike’s tableau comprises seven columns, with each column featuring an increasing number of cards from left to right as follows. Each column comprises 1 card facing up. However, as you move to the right, a column will have +1 card facing down. Therefore, the second column will have 1 card facing down and another facing up, the third column — 2 cards facing down, the fourth will have 3, and so on. Something you must remember is the top card in each column will always face up. It’s this card that will become your starting point.
Stockpile
Of the available 52 cards, 24 make up the stockpile. You’ll see these cards on the top left of your screen and they all face down. The stockpile is your reserve or rather your store for when you no longer have any moves visible on the move. As such, you want to use it sparingly because some versions only allow you to go through the stockpile a certain number of times.
Foundation Piles
Right at the top of the game are four empty spaces known as the foundation piles. Arrange each suit from Ace to King in ascending order.
What to Expect from the Initial Deal
Randomized But Fair
Almost all digital games use a random number generator (RNG) to facilitate fairness. Solitaire is not any different, with developers ensuring the card dealing is random. Additionally, there are instances where you may think the game may be unsolvable, but this is usually structured in a way that smart play will reveal new opportunities.
Face-Up Cards Are Your Starting Moves
All face-up cards in the tableau present opportunities for your first move. Take, for instance, moving a card to the foundation pile or even uncovering a face-down card underneath. These visible cards should guide your opening strategy and eventually open up the board for longer plays.
Common Variants and How They Deal Solitaire
Spider Solitaire
This version offers two decks and ten tableau columns, with the first four holding six cards and the remaining six holding five cards. Keep in mind, only the top card in each column faces up with the remaining cards going to the stockpile.
Pyramid Solitaire
In the pyramid structure that forms the tableau, you have 28 cards in 7 overlapping rows. The remaining cards form the stockpile, and you can only play uncovered cards. Remember, the objective is to eliminate pairs of cards whose value totals 13.
TriPeaks Solitaire
The setup consists of 28 cards, facing down and arranged into three overlapping peaks. However, from these peaks, only the bottom row is playable, and your job is to clear the tableau by playing one rank higher or lower than the current card. The remaining cards form the stockpile.
Tips for Reading the Deal in Solitaire
Learning how to read the auto-deal solitaire setup is like learning how to read a map. First, you want to start by building your foundation using an Ace. However, there’s no rush. Also check whether the Ace in the tableau allows for additional moves. The next tip is to look for face-up cards that can be shifted to reveal hidden ones. With that in mind, it’s worth delaying a play to open up a new column.
Explore Other Solitaire Variations
- Pyramid Solitaire. This solitaire version comes with a twist on the traditional Klondike game. Instead of creating sequences in descending order, you must pair cards from the tableau whose total value is 13.
- TriPeaks Solitaire. From its name, TriPeaks Solitaire is a version of the game where you have a tableau shaped as three triangles. In this game, the objective is to match cards whose rank is one higher or below the card available in the waste pile.
- Spider Solitaire. Your goal here is to clear all cards by arranging sequences in the tableau in descending order and by suit. Once done, you must transfer the completed sequences to the 8 foundation piles.
Solitaire Deal In a Nutshell
Solitaire is online in this technological era, and cards are dealt through a number generator, but knowing how these cards are dealt from the tableau to the stockpile and foundation helps you play smarter. Even so, it all comes down to your preferred variant to determine your overall strategy. Whether you’re on a full screen solitaire setup or a mobile version, you can enjoy solitaire 100% free, no ads, and without downloading.
