Canfield solitaire
Past dailiesA famously stubborn casino game: free the 13 cards of the reserve and build the foundations from whatever rank fate deals first. Every deal here has been played to a win by a solver.
How to play Canfield solitaire
How to play
One card is dealt to the foundations; its rank is where all four foundations start. Build each foundation up in suit from that rank, turning the corner from king to ace. The four columns build down in alternating colours, and a king may go on an ace. Move a column's top card, or the whole column at once.
Reserve and stock
The reserve holds 13 cards and only its top card can be played. When a column empties, the reserve's top card fills it at once; when the reserve is empty, you may fill a gap with a card from the waste. Tap the stock to turn over three cards (or one in Draw 1). You may go through the stock as often as you like.
Controls
Drag a card, or tap it and then tap where it should go. Drag a column by its first card to move the whole column. Double-tap a card to send it to its foundation. Cards that can never be needed again go to the foundations by themselves. With a keyboard, use the arrow keys and Enter.
Tips
The reserve is the real opponent: play from it whenever you can, and move whole columns onto each other to pull more reserve cards into play. In Draw 3, watch which cards come up on each pass so you can plan the next one.
Questions
Can every Canfield game be won?
No. Players win only a small share of random Draw 3 games, and even our solver, which can see every card, finishes only about three in five. Every deal here is one the solver won, replayed move by move through the rules.
Why do the foundations start at a different rank each game?
That is the classic rule: the first card dealt to the foundations sets the starting rank for all four. If it is a 7, each foundation runs 7, 8, … king, ace, 2, … 6.
Can I move part of a column?
No. In Canfield you move either a column's top card or the whole column.
How many times can I go through the stock?
As often as you like, in both Draw 3 and Draw 1.
Does the hint know the hidden cards?
No. It only uses the cards you can see. When the reserve and stock hold nothing hidden, it asks the solver and tells you when its move keeps the game winnable.