How to Play Four Corners Solitaire

Four Corners Solitaire uses a structure of four columns of cards placed evenly around the center of the deck. It's a little easier than other forms of solitaire, meaning that players can win the game more readily. It does use more table space than other forms of solitaire, however, so be ready when you start playing. Electronic versions are available with certain software packages, allowing you to play Four Corners Solitaire on your computer.

Things You'll Need

• 1 deck of cards or solitaire software program containing a Four Corners variation.

Instructions

1. Remove the four aces from the deck and place the deck in the center of your playing surface. Place each of the aces on a corner of the deck, with enough room between each ace and the deck for an additional card.

2. Shuffle the remainder of the deck and draw four cards, then place them face up, one at a time, around the corners of one ace. Repeat the process with the other three aces, then return the remainder of the deck to its spot in the center of the table, face down.

3. If any of the face-up cards are 2s, you may place them on top of the ace of the corresponding suit; for example, place the 2 of hearts on top of the ace of hearts. If any of the face-up cards are 3s, you may place them on top of the corresponding central piles, provided there is a 2 there first, and so on.

4. When you run out of options, turn the top card of the main deck over. You may place it in any empty space around an ace, provided its suit corresponds to that of the ace; for example, if you draw the 7 of clubs, then you may place it in any open spot surrounding the ace of clubs. If you can't do this anywhere, set the card aside to form a waste pile and turn up the next card in the stack. For more difficult versions of four corners, only turn up every third card and send the rest to the waste pile.

5. When you've gone through the entire deck, set the waste pile in the center of the playing area and start again.

6. If you ever reach a point where you have no move--where none of the cards you turn over can fit in a free space around the aces--then the game is over and you must start again from scratch. If you can fill all four stacks above the aces with cards of a matching suit in ascending order--from the ace on the bottom up to the king on top--then you win the game.