Baker's Game Solitaire

How to Play Baker’s Game — Quick Guide

Goal:
Build up each home pile by suit, from A to K (A, 2, 3, …).
Moving Cards:
You can organize the columns by moving cards in descending order and matching suits (like 5 on 6).
You can move a whole group of cards if they’re in sequence.
Max cards in a group = number of empty free cells + 1. If no cells are free, you can only move one card at a time.
Free cells:
Each free cell can hold one card. Use them to free up space and help with moves.
Empty Columns:
You can start an empty column with any card.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

Item 1
In Baker’s Game, the Tableau consists of 8 columns. The first 4 columns have 7 cards in each of them, and the other 4 have 6 cards each. Each card in the Tableau partially covers the one above it.
Item 2
Deal out the columns side-by-side at the bottom of the playing area.
Item 3
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.

Cells and Foundation Piles

Step 1
Leave room above the Tableau for 4 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles, each arranged in a single row.

Rules for Playing Baker’s Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to complete all the Foundation Piles. You win when all 52 cards have been removed from the Cells and the Tableau.

Stacking Cards in the Tableau

Rule 1
When moving a card to the Tableau, you can only place it under a card of the same suit.
Rule 2
Cards moved to the Tableau can only be placed under a card that is one rank higher. For example, a 9 of Hearts can only be stacked under a 10 of Hearts.
Rule 3
Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled by any card.
Rule 4
You can only move one card at a time. Stacks of cards cannot be moved together unless there are enough spaces in the Tableau or Cells to move each of the cards individually.

Moving Cards In and Out of Cells

Rule 1
Any available card in the Tableau can be moved to an empty Cell.
Rule 2
Cards can be moved from the Cells to the Tableau or a Foundation Pile at any point in the game.
Rule 3
A card can only be removed from a Cell if it can be:
- Stacked under a card in the Tableau that is one rank higher and the same suit
- Moved to an empty space in the Tableau
- Added to the top of a Foundation Pile
Rule 4
Each Cell can only hold one card at a time.

Building Foundation Piles

Rule 1
Each Foundation Pile must be stacked with cards of the same suit in ascending order (from Ace to King).
Rule 2
To start a Foundation Pile, move an Ace from a Cell or the Tableau to an empty Foundation Pile.
Rule 3
To build your Foundation Piles, move a card from a Cell or the Tableau that is one rank higher than the top card in the pile and the same suit. For example, if the top card in a Foundation Pile is the 9 of Clubs, you can only place the 10 of Clubs on top of it.
Rule 4
A Foundation Pile is complete when it contains all 13 cards in a single suit, stacked in the following order: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.

Other Rules

Rule 1
Cards cannot be moved out of the Foundation Piles.

Playing Baker’s Game Solitaire – The Layout

1.The Tableau
Deal 4 columns with 7 cards and 4 columns with 6 cards, arranged side-by-side.
2.The Cells
Leave 4 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells.
3.The Foundation Piles
Leave 4 more spaces for your Foundation Piles.

The Gameplay

1.Stack Cards in the Same Suit
Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under cards with the same suit.
2.Sort by Rank
Cards in the Tableau can only be placed under cards that are one rank higher.
3.Store Cards in the Cells
Move cards into the Cells to free up room in the Tableau — and move them back to the Tableau when you need them.
4.Build Your Foundation Piles
Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, starting with an Ace. You win when all Foundation Piles are complete!

Strategies for Baker’s Game Solitaire

Baker’s Game is deceptively difficult. On the surface, it looks like a basic game of FreeCell, but instead of stacking cards in alternating colors, you have to stack them by suit. That gives you half as many possible moves - but just as many Foundation Piles to complete.

Don’t expect to win every round of Baker’s Game you deal out. But you can improve your odds of a victory by following these tips:

Find Your Aces First
Scan the Tableau and locate the Aces. Pick out the ones that are closest to the bottom of their columns and work your way to them. The sooner you start your Foundation Piles, the sooner you can start clearing the Tableau.
Work on Your Stacks
Creating stacked columns in the Tableau is a great move. Since they’re all clustered by suit, you’ll be able to send multiple cards to the Foundation Pile in a row.
Don’t Hold Back on Your Foundation Piles
In FreeCell, leaving a card in the Tableau can sometimes work to your advantage, but not in Baker’s Game. Send every card to the Foundation Pile as soon as you can.

Similar Games to Baker’s Game Solitaire

Keep the fun going with these great games:

Game 1
FreeCell Solitaire — The classic version of the game!
Game 2
Big FreeCell — Twice as many cards and twice the fun!
Game 3
Base Pyramid Solitaire — Pyramid Solitaire with an extra row to work through!

More Power to You!

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