Russian Solitaire Objective
A more challenging variation of Yukon Solitaire, the goal of Russian Solitaire is to arrange the cards into four foundation piles, separated by suit and ascending in order (ace to king).
What makes Russian such a difficult Solitaire variation is that tableau columns are sequenced in descending order by suit, not just alternating colors like classic Solitaire. Plus, you can move entire stacks even if they’re not properly sequenced, which adds complexity. And without a stockpile to fall back on, you can get stuck easily if you don’t plan your moves carefully.
Russian Solitaire Setup
Russian Solitaire setup is similar to classic Solitaire setup, except you have no stockpile or waste pile to use when you get stuck and the tableau contains more face-up cards:
- Tableau: The main gameplay area, you arrange cards in the tableau by suit and in descending order. Using a 52-card deck, the layout includes seven columns. The first column holds a single face-up card, while each following column contains one more facedown card than the last—up to six facedown cards in the seventh column. Each of these columns ends with five face-up cards placed on top of the hidden ones.
- Foundation piles: To the left of the tableau, you reserve space for four vertical foundation piles, one for each suit. These piles are built by moving cards from the tableau, starting with an ace and continuing in ascending order until you end with the king.
How to Play Russian Solitaire
To win Russian Solitaire, arrange all of the cards into four foundation piles, divided by suit and ascending in order, using these rules:
- Arrange cards by suit and in descending order. You must sequence cards in the tableau by suit and descending in rank (king to ace). For example, you must build a sequence, such as 6♠-5♠-4♠-3♠-2♠ or 5♦-4♦-3♦-2♦. You cannot build the sequence 6♠-5♣-4♠-3♠-2♦ or 5♦-4♣-3♦-2♥. However, sequences will end up mixed at first because when you move a card that is not at the bottom of a column, all cards below it move with it. So while you may be trying to put a 4♦ on 5♦, if the 4♦ has 7♥-6♠-9♦ attached to it, your sequence will end up as 5♦-4♦-7♥-6♠-9♦.
- You can move a card regardless of where it’s located in a column. In most Solitaire variations, you can only move a set of properly sequenced cards or move a single card at the bottom of a column. However, in Russian you can move a card no matter where it lands in a column, but all the cards that follow after it must move with it. You also have to follow the sequencing rule of descending in order by the same suit. For example, if you want to move a group that begins 9♦-8♣-7♥-7♣-Q♥, you can move it on top of a 10♦ for a sequence of 10♦-9♦-8♣-7♥-7♣-Q♥.
- Only a king or a group of cards that begins with a king can fill an empty column. If you empty a column, you can only use a king to fill it. You can either move a single king from the bottom of a column, a king that is sequenced with other cards (descending and of the same suit), or a king that begins a group of unsequenced cards in a column.
- Flip over facedown cards when they get uncovered. The only hidden cards in this game are in columns on the tableau. So if you move cards from the top of a facedown card, you can turn it face up to put the card into play.
- Arrange foundation piles by suit, ascending in order by rank. Like most variations of Solitaire, you begin foundation piles with an ace and build them in ascending order (ace to king) by suit.
- Use the undo button to fix mistakes. Because this is a difficult variation, you often make mistakes, which you discover after a few moves. So use the undo button to return to a better position so you can make another choice to move forward in the game.
Russian Solitaire Strategy
Solitaire strategies can help you become a better player, but they’re even more necessary when playing difficult versions like Russian Solitaire. So try these version-specific strategies for a better chance at winning:
- Survey the tableau for moves that pay off. Without a stockpile or waste pile to assist you when you get stuck, you need to evaluate possible moves to see which ones offer the most beneficial subsequent moves. The more you keep the cards moving, the better chance you have at not getting stuck. So make moves that help reveal hidden cards and that create a cascade of future moves.
- Move groups of cards to reveal hidden cards. It may seem like a limitation to have all the cards in a group tag along as you move a card, but this flexibility allows you to move an entire group of cards from the top of hidden cards. So prioritize moving groups off of hidden cards when possible to reveal cards and get more cards into play.
- Evaluate kings and empty columns carefully. Avoid clearing a column unless you have a king because leaving a column empty restricts your gameplay to just six columns of cards. When you can clear a column, be sure to only move the most valuable king to fill the empty space. Consider which king can reveal the most moves and/or the most hidden cards.
- Actively build foundation piles throughout gameplay. For many variations, you avoid building foundation piles too high because you may need the cards to build sequences in the tableau. But because this variation has you sequencing cards by suit, you don’t have to delay moving cards to foundation piles. Building foundation piles doesn’t impact your ability to move cards in the tableau. In fact, it often helps!
If you’ve jumped into a few Russian Solitaire games but find it difficult to win, you can try a slightly easier version and practice your moves with Yukon Solitaire or Solitaire Turn 3. However, if the intense challenge is up your alley, you can try an even more difficult version, like Forty Thieves. Whether you’re looking for a simple challenge or want to level up with something more complex, you’ll find a wide range of Solitaire games that you can play for free on Solitaire Bliss!
