Alternation

Two-Deck Mastery • Checkerboard Layout • Deep Strategic Logic
Alternation Solitaire

Alternation Solitaire is an expansive two-deck game that earns its name from its distinctive layout: half of the cards in the tableau are dealt face-up, while the other half remain face-down in a checkerboard pattern. This blend of known information and hidden obstacles creates a sophisticated puzzle for players who have outgrown standard Klondike.

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How to Play

1

The Staggered Tableau

Eight columns are dealt with seven cards each. Every column alternates between a face-up card and a face-down card, giving you a clear view of half the board while hiding the rest.

2

Eight Foundations

With 104 cards in play, you must build 8 foundations from Ace to King by suit. Every Ace must be found and liberated from the tableau or stock.

3

Build the Columns

Tableau piles are built down in alternating colors (e.g., a Red 7 on a Black 8). Entire sequences can be moved as a group, provided the colors alternate correctly.

4

Stock and Waste

Deal cards from the stock one at a time. In most versions, you are only allowed a single pass through the deck, so make every card count.

Strategic Intel

Is Alternation harder than regular Solitaire?
Yes. Because it uses two decks and features hidden cards, it requires a higher degree of planning. However, the ability to move entire sequences makes it more flexible than some other two-deck games.

What is the checkerboard layout?
It refers to the way the tableau is dealt: Face-up, Face-down, Face-up, and so on. This "alternation" ensures that you always have potential moves to evaluate right from the start.