Deck:
Penguin Solitaire is played with a standard deck of 52 cards.
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How to Play Penguin Solitaire
Quick Guide
Deal Out:
Deal out 7 columns of 7 cards, with every card face-up and partially overlapping the card above it. Note the first card you deal in the Tableau and set aside every other card of that rank.
Cells and Foundation Piles:
Leave space above the Tableau for 7 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles, arranged in a single row. Start 3 Foundation Piles with the cards you set aside.
Objective:
Complete all the Foundation Piles in ascending order, starting with the rank of the cards you set aside.
The Challenge:
One of the cards you need will be at the very top of the Tableau — digging it out will take a few smart moves!
Difficulty Level:
Penguin Solitaire is a fairly easy FreeCell variant. With a bit of practice, you should be able to win most rounds.
Setting Up the Game
Dealing Out the Tableau
Item 1
In Penguin Solitaire, the Tableau consists of 7 columns with 7 cards each.
Item 2
When laying out the Tableau, note the rank of the first card you deal. As you deal out the rest of the Tableau, set aside every other card of that rank as it comes up. For example, if the first card you put down is the 7 of Clubs, then you will have to set aside the 7 of Hearts, 7 of Diamonds, and 7 of Spades.
Item 3
Stack each card so it partially covers the one above it.
Item 4
Arrange the columns side-by-side in the Tableau.
Item 5
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.
Cells and Foundation Piles
Step 1
Leave room above the Tableau for 7 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles, arranged in a single row.
Step 2
This is where the cards you set aside come in. Place one face-up in each of the first 3 Foundation Piles. Leave the fourth Foundation Pile empty.
Rules for Playing Penguin Solitaire
How to Win
Your goal is to complete every Foundation Pile. You win when all the cards have been moved out of the Cells and Tableau.
Stacking Cards in the Tableau
Rule 1
Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under a card that has the same suit and is one rank higher. For example, a 9 of Spades can only be placed under a 10 of Spades.
Rule 2
Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled by any card.
Rule 3
Stacked cards cannot be moved together unless there is room in the Cells and Tableau to move each card individually.
Moving Cards In and Out of Cells
Rule 1
Any card at the bottom of a column can be moved to an empty Cell.
Rule 2
Cards in the Cells can be moved to the Tableau or Foundation Piles if there is a suitable place for them.
Rule 3
Cells can only hold a single card. Cards cannot be stacked in the Cells.
Building Foundation Piles
Rule 1
Foundation Piles are built using cards of the same suit in ascending order, starting from the rank of the initial cards dealt in the Foundation Pile. For example, if you start the game with Jacks in the first 3 Foundation Piles, the remaining Foundation Pile will need to be started with a Jack as well.
Rule 2
To build a Foundation Pile, add a card that has the same suit and is one rank higher than the one at the top of the pile. If the card at the top of the pile is the 10 of Hearts, you can only add the Jack of Hearts to it.
Rule 3
When you add a King to the top of the Foundation Pile, the next card you can add is an Ace of the same suit. The exception is when you happen to start the game with Aces in the Foundation piles - in that case, a pile will be complete when you add a King and no more cards can be added to it.
Rule 4
You can build Foundation Piles using cards from the Tableau or the Cells.
Rule 5
A Foundation Pile is complete when it contains all 13 cards of a single suit in ascending order.
Other Rules
Rule 1
Cards cannot be moved out of the Foundation Piles.
Playing Penguin Solitaire – The Layout
1.The Tableau
Deal 7 columns with 7 cards each, all face-up and slightly overlapping.
2.The Cells
Leave 7 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells.
3.The Foundation Piles
Leave 4 more spaces above the Tableau for your Foundation Piles - fill the first 3 spaces with cards that have the same rank as the first card dealt in the Tableau.
The Gameplay
1.Stack Cards by Suit
Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under cards with a matching 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
Use the Cells to set aside cards for later use.
4.Use Empty Spaces in the Tableau
Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled by any card.
5.Build Your Foundation Piles
Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, starting from the rank of the cards initially dealt in the first 3 piles. You win when every Foundation Pile is complete!
Strategies for Penguin Solitaire
Penguin Solitaire is a version of FreeCell with a few fun tweaks. Your Foundation Piles start with a different rank each time and the card you need to start the last pile will be buried at the very top of the Tableau.
Even though it “freezes” the card you need most by putting it at the top of a column, Penguin Solitaire can be mastered with a bit of practice. Here are a few strategies to help you win almost every round you play:
Work Your Way Up the First Column
You can’t start your last Foundation Pile until you uncover the card at the very top of the first column. So, get cracking. Map out a plan for getting that card before making your first move.
Keep a Couple of Cells Vacant
Penguin Solitaire gives you a generous number of Cells, but they’ll fill up quickly if you’re not careful. Use them strategically and don’t fill all 7 Cells unless you need to.
Take Your Time
You’ll have to move carefully if you want to win at Penguin Solitaire. Your Foundation Piles will start with a different rank each time you play, so you have to be mindful of which cards you need to get first. Going right for the Aces won’t always help you win!
Similar Games to Penguin Solitaire
Keep the fun going with these other great games:
Game 1
FreeCell — The classic version of the game!
Game 2
Seahaven Towers — Another fun FreeCell variant!
Game 3
Pyramid Solitaire (Pharaohs) — Clear three pyramids instead of one!
More Power to You!
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