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What is Russian Solitaire?

Russian Solitaire is a challenging variation of Yukon Solitaire. While the basic mechanics are similar, the key difference lies in how cards are sequenced in the tableau. In Russian Solitaire, cards must be sequenced by suit, which significantly increases the difficulty compared to Yukon, where cards are sequenced by alternating colors.

How to Play Russian Solitaire

Objective

The goal of Russian Solitaire is to move all the cards from the tableau to the foundation piles, where they are built up in order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup

Russian Solitaire is played with a standard 52-card deck, arranged into the following areas:

Foundation Piles: These are the four empty piles at the top of the game. Cards are placed here in ascending order by suit, starting with Aces and ending with Kings.
Tableau Piles: The tableau consists of seven columns. The first column contains one card, the second column contains six cards, the third column contains seven cards, and so on, until the seventh column contains 11 cards. In each column, the last five cards are dealt face-up, while the rest are face-down.

Rules

Russian Solitaire has unique gameplay rules that distinguish it from other Solitaire variations:

Cards in the tableau must be sequenced in descending order by suit. For example, a 7 of Hearts can only be placed on an 8 of Hearts.
Any face-up card, along with all cards below it in the same column, can be moved as a group to another tableau column. However, the group must begin with a card that is one rank lower and of the same suit as the destination card.
If a face-down card becomes uncovered in the tableau, it is immediately flipped face-up and becomes playable.
Kings, and only Kings, can be moved to empty tableau columns. You can also move a sequence starting with a King to an empty tableau column.
Cards can be moved to the foundation piles as soon as they are available and in the correct order. For example, an Ace of Diamonds can be moved to an empty foundation pile, followed by the 2 of Diamonds, and so on.
The game is won when all cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles. If no further moves are possible and not all cards are in the foundation, the game is lost.

Strategies for Russian Solitaire

Russian Solitaire is a complex game, but these strategies can help improve your chances of winning:

Reveal Face-Down Cards Quickly: Focus on uncovering face-down cards early in the game to maximize your options for making moves.
Prioritize Foundation Moves: Move cards to the foundation piles as soon as they are available. This clears space in the tableau and allows for more flexibility.
Clear Columns Early: Try to create empty tableau columns early in the game. This will give you space to move Kings or sequences starting with Kings, which can be crucial for rearranging the tableau.
Think Ahead: Before making a move, consider its impact on future moves. Avoid blocking important cards or creating sequences that cannot be easily rearranged.

Why Play Russian Solitaire?

Russian Solitaire is perfect for players who enjoy a challenge and are looking to sharpen their strategic thinking. The need to sequence cards by suit adds a layer of complexity that makes the game both difficult and rewarding. Whether you’re a seasoned Solitaire enthusiast or looking for a new twist on a classic favorite, Russian Solitaire offers hours of engaging gameplay.