Official Double Solitaire Rules

Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Double Solitaire is a competitive two-player version of the classic Klondike solitaire, where each player races to move their cards into foundation piles. With unique rules for card movement and strategy, this game challenges players to outsmart their opponent while following the familiar Solitaire setup.

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How to Play Double Solitaire

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Setup

In this two-player version of Klondike solitaire, each player needs their own 52-card deck. To avoid confusion, it’s best if the backs of the decks are different so that cards can be easily identified after the game.

• Each player deals 28 cards into 7 piles:
  • The leftmost pile has one card, the second pile has two cards, and so on, until the seventh pile has seven cards.
  • Only the top card in each pile is face-up, while the others remain face-down.
• Place the foundation piles (4 per player) between the two layouts, where both players can play.
• Each player also starts with a stack of 24 face-down cards.
• The game can be played in two modes: Turn-Based Play or Simultaneous Solitaire (the commercial game is called Nertz).

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Turn-Based Play

Objective:

• Players alternate turns, trying to move all their cards to the foundation piles before their opponent.

How to Play:

1. Starting the Game:
   • The player with the lower card on their one-pile starts the game (or the lowest card on their two-pile if there’s a tie).
2. On Your Turn:
   • You can:
     • Move cards within your own layout.
     • Place cards on the foundation piles when they fit.
     • Move cards from your discard pile to your layout or the foundations.
   • You cannot use your opponent’s layout or discard pile.
3. Ending Your Turn:
   • When you cannot make any further moves or choose not to, end your turn by:
     • Turning over the top card of your face-down stack and placing it on your discard pile.
4. Opponent’s Turn:
   • Once you finish your turn, it’s your opponent’s turn.

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Simultaneous Solitaire

Objective:

• Players compete to move all their cards to the foundation piles as quickly as possible, with all players playing at once.

How to Play:

1. Starting the Game:
   • Each player uses their own 52-card deck.
   • All players play simultaneously, using only one hand.
2. Making Moves:
   • If you cannot make a move, you must:
     • Turn over the top three cards from your stack and place them face-up on your discard pile.
   • If your stack is empty, turn the entire discard pile over and continue with the top three cards from the new stack.
3. Blocked Players:
   • If you are blocked (unable to make further moves), the game continues for other players.
   • Once all players are blocked, the player with the most cards in the foundation piles wins.

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Winning the Game

In Turn-Based Play:

• The game ends when one player has moved all their cards to the foundation piles.
• If both players are blocked (unable to make any further moves), the winner is the player with the most cards in the foundation piles.

In Simultaneous Solitaire:

• The first player to move all their cards to the foundation piles wins.
• If all players are blocked, the winner is the player with the fewest cards left in their layout and stack.
• In multiplayer games, you can continue for second place, third place, and so on.

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Special Rules for Two-Player Games

• If both players are blocked with fewer than 7 cards left in their stacks, they may choose to reveal all remaining cards from their stacks.
• These revealed cards can then be used to continue making valid moves in the game.

Double Solitaire adds a competitive twist to the classic Klondike solitaire, offering a fun and strategic experience for two players. Whether you’re playing turn-based or in a race, it’s a game of quick thinking and careful planning. Challenge your opponent, outplay them, and claim victory by clearing your foundation piles first!