Scorpion solitaire
Past dailiesSort the whole deck into four runs from king down to ace, one per suit, right on the table. Every deal here has been played to a win by a solver.
How to play Scorpion solitaire
How to play
Seven columns of seven cards are dealt; the first four columns each hide three face-down cards. Build down in suit: the 6 of hearts goes on the 7 of hearts. You may move any face-up card together with all the cards on top of it, whether or not they are in order. A finished run from king to ace in one suit leaves the table; finish all four to win.
Stock and empty columns
Three cards are left in the stock. Tap the stock to deal them onto the first three columns; you can do this whenever you like, but only once. In Classic, only a king (with whatever sits on it) can go into an empty column. In Wasp, any card can.
Controls
Drag a card to move it and everything above it, or tap it and then tap where it should go. Double-tap a card to send it to the only place it fits. With a keyboard, use the arrow keys to choose a card and Enter to pick it up and put it down.
Tips
Watch for knots: a card buried under its own next-higher card in the same column can only be freed by moving the higher card elsewhere first. Turn over the face-down cards early, and keep the stock until it can help, since its cards land on the first three columns.
Questions
How is Scorpion different from Spider solitaire?
Scorpion uses a single deck and seven columns. You can move any face-up card with everything on top of it, not just ordered runs, but you may only build in suit, and the three stock cards are dealt just once.
Can every Scorpion game be won?
No, Classic Scorpion is hard: our solver could finish only about one random deal in eight. Every deal on this page was solved first and the solution was replayed through the rules, so a win is always possible.
What is Wasp?
A friendlier version of Scorpion where any card, not just a king, can go into an empty column. Most deals can be won.
When should I deal the stock?
Whenever it helps. The three cards go onto the first three columns, so dealing can bury a card you need. Many players wait until they are stuck.
Does the hint look at hidden cards?
No. It only uses the cards you can see. Once every card is face up and the stock is used, it asks the solver and tells you when its move keeps the game winnable.