How to Play Grandma’s Double‑Deck Solitaire

Grandma’s Double‑Deck Solitaire is a game of careful observation, timing, and thoughtful choice. While the rules are simple, each deal presents unique challenges. This section explains how to play the game. Strategy and insights are covered separately.

Objective of the Game

The goal is to move all cards from the stock piles and the draw pile to the eight foundation piles.

Four foundations build upward, from Ace to King, by suit.
Four foundations build downward, from King to Ace, by suit.

Once a card is placed onto a foundation, the move is permanent and cannot be undone during the game.

Layout Overview

Stock Piles

Thirteen stock piles are laid out in two rows. Each pile corresponds to a rank, from Ace through King. Only the top card of each pile is visible and playable.

The order of cards in the stock piles is determined during the deal and cannot be changed during the game.

Draw Pile

A draw pile sits in the center of the bottom row. Cards in the draw pile are face down.

The order of cards in the draw pile is fixed during the deal and cannot be previewed, reordered, or changed.

Foundations

Eight foundations are positioned above the stock piles. The upward‑building foundations are placed on the left side, and the downward‑building foundations on the right.

You choose the starting position for each foundation, allowing you to alternate suits or colors if you wish.

Moves vs. Turns

A Move

A move is when you place one card onto a foundation pile according to suit and direction.

The player clicks to select a playable card.
Valid foundation targets are outlined.
The player clicks the desired foundation to complete the move.

Drag‑and‑drop and Undo functions are purposely not available. These mechanics preserve meaningful decision points.

A Turn

A turn begins when the player draws a card from the draw pile, and ends when player clicks "Close Pile" button.

Additional cards temporarily become playable.
You may make multiple moves during a turn.

Making Moves to the Foundations

You may play a card to a foundation when:

The card matches the foundation’s suit.
The rank is exactly one higher or lower, depending on direction.

Playable cards may come from:

The top card of any stock pile.
The expanded stock pile during a turn.

Drawing from the Draw Pile

Drawing is always optional and may be done at any time. Drawing a card starts a turn.

The drawn card is placed face up at the bottom of the stock pile matching its rank, expanding that pile and revealing all of its cards.

All cards in the expanded pile become playable.
All other stock pile top cards remain playable.

The turn ends when the player chooses to close the expanded pile.

Decision Points

During play, you will encounter important decision points, such as choosing between identical playable cards or deciding which foundation path to commit to. These decisions affect whether a deal can ultimately be won.

What makes the game engaging is that the outcome cannot be fully determined in advance.

Ending the Game

You Win When:

All cards have been successfully placed onto the foundations.

The Game Ends with a Loss When:

The draw pile is empty, and
No stock pile top card can be legally moved to any foundation.

The Game is Conceded When:

The Restart button is clicked.
The Player wishes to start over with "Reset Settings" button.

If browser window or tab is closed during a game, accidentally or intentionally, the game is abandoned and does not add to your stats.