What are Single Player Card Games?
Single-player card games are a genre of games designed for one person to play, rather than a group. This also means that these games are generally less competitive and more of a test of intelligence. Many might even consider them to be part of the puzzler genre, rather than something beloved by card game connoisseurs.
Most card games for one are focused on sorting out a shuffled deck, with rules specific to each game type adding to the challenge. In fact, one can consider all one-player card games to be elaborate reverse shuffling of decks.
Due to the nature of these games, players might find certain configurations to be unsolvable, but to many, this is the appeal.
The popularity of single-player gaming can be attributed to the modern digital age where (card) games are easily accessible online or digitally. An example being Klondike and Spider Solitaire bundled with Windows XP computers.
What are the Most Popular Single Player Card Games?
As with other card games for different player counts, there are a wide variety of available one-player card games. These are the best single-player card games, with games besides solitaire being included as well.
Spider Solitaire
A popular game based on the classic Solitaire or Patience game. A deck is shuffled and spread across 10 columns and a
Wish Solitaire
A simplified game based on the rules of Solitaire, the decks consist of only 32 cards, with the 2-6 cards being removed. 8 piles of 4 are dealt, with all placed face down. The top cards are revealed, and each pair of the same rank, regardless of suit, is taken until all cards are cleared.
Forty Thieves
Also known as Napoleon at St. Helena. The conqueror’s
Emperor
A difficult version of Solitaire using 2 decks of 52 cards. 10 piles of 4 are dealt face-down, and the remaining cards are placed aside, forming the draw pile. The rules are similar to Forty Thieves, with only minor differences in moves.
Accordion
Devil’s Grip
Devil’s Grip aims to sort out the deck into different piles, which end up with Jacks at the top, Queens at the middle, and Kings in the bottom row forming the top. 2 decks with the Aces are removed. The game ends when no more cards can be dealt, and scores are granted based on the number of cards remaining.
Streets and Alleys
Another variation of Solitaire. This uses the standard deck, but with all cards in the 3 columns of 4 being placed face-up, allowing players to make more informed
How to Play Single-Player Card Games
Solo card games are all about thinking out moves to prevent unsolvable, blocked boards. There are specific steps to be taken in one-player card games.
Decks
Single-player card games can be played using the standard 52-card deck. However, there are also special decks such as the Spanish 40-card deck, which can be made using the 52-card deck by removing the 8-10 cards from the standard deck.
Dealing
The dealing phase, much like in other playing card games with a deck, places cards in the standard configuration for play. Depending on the rules of the card games, there are 4 different sections of the game. These are the board, the Foundations, the stock, and the discards.
- The board will be the area where all piles are placed.
- The Foundations are the places where completed sets are placed.
- The stock and the discards are sections where the undealt cards are placed.
Depending on the game, each part of the game has different sizes and roles, but they generally function similarly.
Play
The main aspect of single-player card games involves the sorting of cards. This is done via the moving of individual cards. Cards can be moved to the Foundation if they are the first cards, generally the Aces, and then follow up with the subsequent cards.
Moving cards can then be done if there are consecutive ranks from different piles. For example, if there is a 3♠ and a 2♠ card on different piles on the Table, one can move the 2♠ card to the 3♠ pile.
Winning
Winning these types of games means that all cards are cleared from the board. However, since not all boards are solvable, and some might be rendered unsolvable through some wrong moves, the game also ends when no valid moves can be made.
Single-player card games are scored based on the time taken to solve the puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are easy single-player card games?
There are special Solitaire variations designed to be easily won, but to simplify things, most games can be played using modified decks, where suits of the same color are treated as the same suit, or even games where suits are disregarded completely.
Which single-player card games can I play with one deck?
You can play many variations of Solitaire using one deck. Examples include Klondike Solitaire and Spider Solitaire.
Is every single-player card game solvable?
Not necessarily. However, if you play digitally, programs can be set to only generate solvable games.
