Courtyard Solitaire

The 104-Card Arena • 12 Tableau Columns • Elite Patience Challenge
Courtyard Solitaire

Courtyard Solitaire is an expansive double-deck game that requires high-level spatial awareness and sequence planning. With 12 columns in the tableau and 8 foundation piles to fill, it offers a massive scale for fans of classic Klondike who are looking for a more complex "marathon" style experience.

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How to Play

1

The Courtyard Layout

Using 104 cards, 12 cards are dealt face-up to form 12 tableau columns. The remaining cards form the stock. Eight foundations await to be built from Ace to King.

2

Tableau Building

Build the tableau piles down by suit (e.g., a Spade 9 on a Spade 10). Unlike standard solitaire, you can only move the top card of any column, requiring careful sequence management.

3

Foundation Rules

Build the eight foundation piles up by suit, starting from Ace through King. Since there are two decks, you must complete two full sets for every suit.

4

The Stock and Spaces

Deal cards from the stock one at a time to the waste pile. Empty tableau spaces are extremely valuable; they can be filled by any card to help you rearrange your columns.

Courtyard Intelligence

Is it harder than Double Klondike?
Yes. The requirement to build down by suit (instead of alternating color) makes Courtyard significantly more restrictive, though the 12 columns provide extra flexibility.

Empty Space Freedom:
Any card can fill an empty space. Use this to move "problem" cards (like Kings) that are blocking lower cards in other columns.