Solitaire Card Game Guide 2024 for the Philippines

Solitaire is a widely popular card game in the Philippines and one that’s played by one person. Also called ‘Patience’, this game challenges the player to play certain cards to build a foundation, in sequence, from the Ace to the King. As you play, the challenge is to add all pieces into the foundation following a sequence based on points and suit. In the Philippines, the game is part of a PC program that adds to its popularity among Filipinos.

What is the Solitaire card Game?

The solitaire game is played by one person, although there are some variants that you can enjoy with others. It’s a fun leisure activity that uses simple rules and a basic understanding of card suits and rankings. Traditionally, players enjoy this on a standard table or a desktop computer. One or more standard 52-card packs are used which are shuffled before the start of the games. A popular program on PCs and desktops, this game is now available online and on mobile apps.

How to play Solitaire?

Solitaire is part of a family of card games that’s enjoyed by one person. It traces its roots to Europe, particularly in the Baltic region during the latter part of the 18^th century. Records suggest that it was initially for fortune telling but soon developed into a popular card game. In this game, a player uses a standard deck of playing cards. Cards are placed on the table based on a specific sequence, and it ends if all cards are used.

Solitaire rules

Solitaire uses a set of simple rules and standard rankings of suits. As mentioned, you need to build first a foundation for all cards. These are four piles on the table on which the whole suits or sequence of playing cards must be built. In the traditional variant, four Aces serve as the base of the foundations- the Aces of Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs. In solitaire, Kings get the highest value, and it’s followed by Qs, Js, 10s to Ace.

Solitaire variations

Although it is a simple game, it’s also available in different variants.  Some of the popular variants of this card game are Klondike, Free Cell, and Spider which are widely available to play for free online.

Klondike

It’s the most popular version of solitaire and traces its roots to Klondike, a region in Canada. Here, you use a standard deck, and the object is to arrange the cards by suit. You start with the Ace and end with the King. We can trace its popularity in the Philippines to its inclusion in the Windows 3.0 program during the 1990s.

FreeCell

This version shares some similarities with Klondike when it comes to gameplay. But FreeCell requires a strategy and a planned approach when playing. Again, it uses the standard deck that you arrange into 7 piles. Cards are visible and placed forward to the player. The player’s task is to build a foundation using suits.

Spider

Spider is another popular variant of solitaire that you can play online. This game uses two decks of cards, and it uses 8 foundations where you need to form and complete to win. The setting is like Klondike and the table shows piles, stockpiles, and the 8 foundations. Here, cards are exposed, and you need a full sequence to add to the foundations.

TriPeaks

This variant takes its name from the three pyramids formed on the tableau. TriPeaks was invented in 1989 by Robert Hogue and according to him, approximately 9 in 10 games are winnable. In this variant, cards are set in three 4-rows pyramids. Its objective is to clear all cards by deconstructing the pyramids by creating card sequences based on points.

Pyramid

In this game, you have a single pyramid on the table. It is a pairing game and your task is top pair cards whose total is 13 points. When using the standard deck, the King gets the highest value at 13 and you can only remove it by itself. Also, the Queens and Jacks are valued at 12 and 11 respectively. As you play the game, you can take one card from the stockpile and find its match on the pyramid.

Solitaire strategies

Solitaire is easy to learn but it can be challenging to win each round. To improve your chances, you can follow a few hacks and strategies. For example, you can immediately play your Ace and 2s. As soon as you get them, place the suit on the foundation. Also, don’t leave a space if you don’t have a King.

Can I play online?

You can play solitaire online using a variety of devices. Several game websites host different variants you can enjoy your free time. Also, you can find this card game for iOS and Android that you can download and install on your smartphone. These iOS and Android apps are free to use, and some allow you to socialize with other players.

Can I play Solitaire for real money?

If you’re looking for a challenge, then there are solitaire games in real money. Some leading casinos feature this in real money and offer huge payouts. Most of these titles are based on Klondike and feature random jackpots that make each round exciting.

FAQ

Solitaire is fun, widely available and the rules are easy to learn.  But if you have other questions about this game, then the following section can help.