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How to Play Eight Off Solitaire

Quick Guide

  • Deck:

    Eight Off is played with a standard deck of 52 cards.

  • Deal Out:

    Deal 8 columns with 6 cards each, all face-up with each card partially overlapping the one above it.

  • Cells and Foundation Piles:

    Leave room above the Tableau for 8 Cells, and leave room above the Cells for 4 Foundation Piles. Deal the remaining 4 cards in the Cells.

  • Objective:

    Complete all Foundation Piles in ascending order from Ace to King.

  • The Challenge:

    Eight Off gives you plenty of Cells to work with, but only Kings can be moved to empty spaces in the Tableau!

  • Difficulty Level:

    Eight Off is a very easy variant of FreeCell. It’s a perfect choice for relaxing gameplay that’s still skill-based.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

  • Item 1

    In Eight Off, the Tableau consists of 8 columns with 6 cards each. Each card in the Tableau partially covers the one above it.

  • Item 2

    Arrange the columns side-by-side in 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 8 Cells arranged in a single row.

  • Step 2

    Deal out the remaining cards in the first 4 Cells, face-up.

  • Step 3

    Leave room above the Cells for 4 Foundation Piles, also arranged in a single row.

Rules for Playing Eight Off Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to move every card to the Foundation Piles. You win when the Cells and Tableau are empty.

Stacking Cards in the Tableau

  • Rule 1

    A card moved to the Tableau can only be placed under a card of the same suit that is one rank higher. For example, a 3 of Spades can only be stacked under a 4 of Spades.

  • Rule 2

    An empty space in the Tableau can only be filled by a King.

  • Rule 3

    You can only move one card at a time. Stacked 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 moved from a Cell if it can be placed in the Tableau or at the top of a Foundation Pile.

  • Rule 4

    Cards cannot be stacked in the Cells — each Cell can only hold one card at a time.

Building Foundation Piles

  • Rule 1

    Foundation Piles 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 to an empty Foundation Pile.

  • Rule 3

    To build your Foundation Piles, add a card that has the same suit and is one rank higher than the top card in the pile. For example, if the top card is the Jack of Spades, the only card you can add to the pile is the Queen of Spades.

  • Rule 4

    You can build the Foundation Piles using cards from the Tableau or the Cells.

  • Rule 5

    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 Eight Off Solitaire – The Layout

  • 1.The Tableau

    Deal 8 columns with 6 cards each, all face-up.

    The Tableau
  • 2.The Cells

    Leave 8 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells — add the 4 remaining cards to the Cells.

    The Cells
  • 3.The Foundation Piles

    Leave 4 spaces above the Cells for your Foundation Piles.

    The Foundation Piles

The Gameplay

  • 1.Stack Cards by Suit

    Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under cards with the same suit.

    Stack Cards by 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

    Use the Cells to free up cards in the Tableau.

    Store Cards in the Cells
  • 4.Fill Empty Spaces with Kings

    Empty spaces in the Tableau can only be filled by Kings.

    Fill Empty Spaces with Kings
  • 5.Build Your Foundation Piles

    Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, from Ace to King. You win when all Foundation Piles are complete!

    Build Your Foundation Piles

Strategies for Eight Off Solitaire

Eight Off gives you twice as many Cells to play with, which makes it an easier variant of FreeCell. It’s still possible to lose, however, so you’ll have to play with a bit of skill.

Use these strategies to improve your gameplay:

  • Locate Your Aces

    Find the Aces in the Tableau and start working your way to them. The sooner you start building Foundation Piles, the greater your odds of winning.

  • Sort Your Columns

    Since the cards in the Tableau can only be stacked by rank and suit, building columns will help you send multiple cards to the Foundation Piles in a row.

  • Don’t Focus on Creating Empty Spaces

    Empty Tableau spaces are a lifesaver in FreeCell — in Eight Off, they’re not nearly as useful. Since you can only fill the spaces with Kings, clearing multiple columns won’t help you much. Devote your energy to freeing up Cells and building Foundations instead.

Similar Games to Eight Off Solitaire

Keep the fun going with these great games:

  • Game 1

    FreeCell Solitaire — The classic version of the game!

  • Game 2

    ForeCell Solitaire — Turn up the challenge with this FreeCell variant!

  • Game 3

    Klondike Solitaire — The familiar game you know and love!

More Power to You!

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