Double Solitaire

Playing a game of free Double Solitaire can be traced back centuries. A regular deck of playing cards is all you need to play this fun card game for two. In addition to its more common name, this game goes by “Double Klondike” as well. In this article, we’ll cover how to play free Double Solitaire, winning strategies, many variations, and answer some FAQs.

How to Play Double Solitaire

As a competitive game for two people, in Double Solitaire, one deck is played by each player. To track the score, the decks should have different designs. To set up the Double Solitaire game, shuffle both decks thoroughly (and separately). The players sit facing each other and arrange two tableaus like in Klondike solitaire – the recognizable cascading layout of seven piles.

The remaining cards from each deck are placed face-down next to their tableaus to form the draw pile. The top card from each player’s draw pile is turned over and placed face-up on top of the draw pile. This is the “waste” pile, and it’s where players will discard cards as they try to build their foundations.

The players’ objective is to clear the tableau by moving the cards to the foundation piles, starting with the Ace and ending with the King. Each foundation pile should be of the same suit. In Double Solitaire, there number of foundation piles is also doubled from four to eight, and players can put cards on any of them.

To begin the game, players can move any card from their tableau to a foundation pile if it’s the correct suit and the next card in sequence. For example, if the first card in a foundation pile is an Ace of hearts, the next card in the pile should be the Two of hearts, and so on.

Players can also move cards from their tableau to other tableau piles or to the waste pile. The tableau sequences can be built in descending order and with alternating colors. For example, a black Seven can be placed on a red Eight.

If a player exhausts their tableau pile, they can draw a new one by turning over the top card of their draw pile. If a player exhausts their draw pile, they can flip over the waste pile and use those cards as their draw pile.

Rules of Double Solitaire

Here are some basic rules of Double Solitaire:

  1. Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for play.
  2. Players can move cards from their tableau pile to the foundation piles or other tableau piles.
  3. Only Kings can be placed in empty tableau piles.
  4. A player can flip over cards from their draw pile and place them on the tableau piles if they cannot make any other moves.
  5. Players cannot move cards from the waste pile to the tableau piles.

How to Win in Double Solitaire

Double Solitaire can be played simultaneously or based on turns. In the former variation, players move their cards around at the same time and try to complete the foundations faster. In turn-based Double solitaire, they take turns. The turn passes to the other player when the first one is unable to make any more moves at the moment.

If two players are end up stuck before they remove all the cards, then the winner is the one who placed more cards on the foundations. This is why it’s important to play Double solitaire with decks of different designs.

The Double Solitaire game is won when one player removes all their cards to the foundation piles. It’s important to note that both players can win the game simultaneously.

To increase your chances of winning in Double Solitaire, it’s important to create space in your tableau pile as soon as possible. This can be achieved by moving cards to the foundation pile or to other tableau piles.

Types of Double Solitaire

There are several types of Double Solitaire, and each type has its own set of rules. Here are some of the most popular ones:

  • Easthaven Double Solitaire: In this version, players are dealt 10 piles of cards face-down, and the remaining cards are placed in the draw pile. The game is played with two decks, and players must build their foundations in alternating colors.
  • Double Canfield Solitaire: This version is played with two decks of cards, and players must build their foundation piles in descending order, alternating colors. The tableau piles can be built in descending order, but cards can only be moved to an empty tableau pile if it’s a King.
  • Double Russian Solitaire: This version is played with two decks of cards for each player, and the goal is to build foundations as usual. In the tableau, the sequences of cards should be of the same suit.
  • Double Pyramid Solitaire: This version is played with two decks of cards, and players must remove the cards in pairs that add up to 13. The tableau piles are arranged in a pyramid shape, and cards should be moved to the discard pile to clear the pyramid.

End Note

Double Solitaire is a fun and challenging two-player game that can be played in many different variations. By following the basic rules of the game and implementing some strategic moves, players can increase their chances of winning. So grab a friend, a deck of cards, and play some Double Solitaire free online!

FAQ

Can Double Solitaire be played with more than two players?

While Double Solitaire is typically a two-player game, more people can join with their own decks if you play simultaneously.

Can cards be moved from the waste pile to the tableau piles?

Yes, when you flip over a card from the draw pile and put it on the waste pile, you can play it to a tableau or foundation pile.

Is Double Solitaire a difficult game to learn?

No, Double Solitaire is relatively easy to learn, but it does require some strategy to win.

What happens if both players win the game simultaneously?

Both players win the game.

Can cards be moved from one foundation pile to another?

No, once a card has been placed in a foundation pile, it cannot be moved.

How many decks do you need for Double Solitaire?

Two decks of cards are required for two players to build four piles using all available cards. Each deck should have two piles of hearts, clubs, spades, and diamonds, so you can get the most out of your Double Solitaire game. With two decks in hand, you’ll be ready to tackle the challenge of double solitaire with a friend!

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