What Is a Passthrough in Solitaire and Why It Matters

What Passthrough Refers to in Solitaire

When talking about a passthrough in solitaire, it’s simply the number of times you can cycle through the stockpile. What’s the stockpile? In every solitaire game, there’s a stack of undealt cards away next to the foundation piles.

The rule attached to the passthrough is relevant in digital versions of the game, where the passthrough setting is typically chosen before gameplay begins. Therefore, it’s not something you can adjust mid-game or even manually trigger. Its main job is to control the number of times the deck can be flipped through during the course of a game.

Essentially, the passthrough is a counter that defines your opportunities to reuse cards that weren’t initially played immediately after they’re drawn. So, the more passthroughs are allowed, the more chances you get to find usable cards and build your foundations.

How the Stockpile Cycle Works

Now that you know what the stockpile is, let’s get down to how it works. You’ll find instances where the stockpile is referred to as the draw pile (but do not confuse it with the waste pile). It’s the same thing and a central mechanic in Solitaire.

When you cannot make any more moves on the tableau (the layout of cards), you can draw from the stockpile. There are three stock recycling rules:

• Single passthrough. In this setting, you can only cycle through the stockpile once. After you’ve drawn all the cards to the wastepile, you cannot reuse them.
• Three passthrough. As the name suggests, you have three recycles. Once you run through the stockpile the third time, the game will end if you don’t have legal moves left
• Infinite passthrough. With the infinite mode, you have unlimited access to the stockpile. When there are no cards left in the stockpile, the waste pile turns over to form a new one.

It’s worth knowing that in most instances, cards you draw but don’t use go into a waste pile.

Why Passthrough Rules Change Gameplay

Just think of a passthrough as the game’s level of forgiveness. The fewer passes you have, the more success depends on your ability to plan ahead, work with the tableau efficiently, and extract the most from each draw. So, just how does it all come into play?

Let’s start with the limited passthrough setting where you will be pushed to make smarter and more efficient moves with few second chances. Since you only have a few passes at the stockpile, you must make strategic decisions early in the game because you have little recovery room.

In contrast, playing solitaire versions with infinite passthroughs take away the pressure and allow you to cycle until you can find a favorable sequence. On one hand, the reduced pressure allows you to relax while playing. On the other hand, however, it kills the need for careful planning.

Right Passthrough Setting for Your Playstyle

As you can tell from the different passthrough settings, there’s no right or wrong option. It all comes down to what type of player you are.

• For beginners, the infinite passthrough setting is more suitable since it offers flexibility. As a result, you have all the time to learn the rules without penalizing early mistakes.
• As you advance in the game and become good at your strategies, you may opt for the three passthroughs. By limiting the number of passthroughs, you introduce more structure and challenge while still enjoying some flexibility.
• After mastering the game, you can switch to the single passthrough to thoroughly test your foresight, skill, and calculated risk.

If you can change the passthrough setting, is that not considered cheating? No, it’s not. Instead, it’s more about choosing a rule variant, similar to how you can adjust the difficulty level in a video game or choosing a scoring system in mahjong solitaire.

Passthrough and Strategy Go Hand in Hand

The number of passthroughs affects the overall gameplay and how you plan your moves. For example, say you play a single-passthrough game. In such an instance, drawing a card you cannot use immediately would be a bigger setback than in an infinite-passthrough game. That means every card you draw becomes a limited opportunity, and every misused move carries more consequences.

Therefore, you must think several steps ahead, considering not just the next draw but how the current plays may affect future ones. You can “cheat” since many solitaire versions offer an “undo” button, which allows you to track back and start from a preferred point. However, with limited passthroughs, you’re forced to approach each card with care.

If You Want Control, Understand Your Settings

At first, passthrough settings may seem minor, but they shape how every game will unfold. That’s why it’s important to go beyond the simple card matching and layering to understand how each rule influences strategy and pace.

Thanks to this in-depth guide, you can now choose passthrough settings intentionally and align them with your skill level goals. Ultimately, you can create a solitaire version that challenges, entertains, and rewards smart thinking.