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How to Play Baker’s Game Solitaire

Quick Guide

  • Deck:

    Baker’s Game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards.

  • Deal Out:

    Deal 4 columns with 7 cards and 4 columns with 6 cards. All cards are face-up and partially overlapping.

  • Cells and Foundation Piles:

    Leave room above the Tableau for 4 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles.

  • Objective:

    Build up all 4 Foundation Piles in ascending order from Ace to King.

  • The Challenge:

    Baker’s Game is just like FreeCell, except you can only stack cards by suit — which is much more difficult than it sounds!

  • Difficulty Level:

    Baker’s Game is a more challenging version of FreeCell, but with a bit of skill and patience you can get plenty of wins.

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.

  • Step 2

    After dealing out the Tableau, place the 4 remaining cards face-up in the Cells.

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.

    The Tableau
  • 2.The Cells

    Leave 4 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells.

    The Cells
  • 3.The Foundation Piles

    Leave 4 more spaces for your Foundation Piles.

    The 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.

    Stack Cards in the Same Suit
  • 2.Sort by Rank

    Cards in the Tableau can only be placed under cards that are one rank higher.

    Sort by Rank
  • 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.

    Store Cards in the Cells
  • 4.Build Your Foundation Piles

    Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, starting with an Ace. You win when all Foundation Piles are complete!

    Build Your Foundation Piles

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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