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Alaska Solitaire
Alaska Solitaire lets you build cards up or down in the same suit. Play without a stock pile and uncover every card through smart moves.
Alaska Solitaire: Build Up Or Down, Your Choice
Alaska Solitaire puts a clever twist on classic solitaire with one unusual rule: tableau cards must share the same suit, but they can be built either up or down. That means a 3♠ can go on a 2♠, while a 2♠ can also go on a 3♠. With all 52 cards dealt onto the table and no stock pile, every visible card can become part of your strategy.
How To Play Alaska Solitaire
The goal is to move all 52 cards to the four foundations, building each suit from Ace to King. In the tableau, look for same-suit cards that are one rank apart and use either direction to uncover blocked cards.
- Build both ways: Place a card on a same-suit card that is one rank higher or lower.
- Move face-up cards: Any face-up card can be moved, with the cards above it coming along.
- Use empty columns: Only a King can start an empty column, either alone or with a group attached.
- Plan around hidden cards: The deeper columns contain face-down cards, so prioritize moves that reveal them.
What Makes Alaska Solitaire Different?
- Unlike many solitaire games, Alaska does not force you to build in just one direction. A 2♠ can receive a 3♠, but a 3♠ can also receive a 2♠. This two-way movement gives you more ways to rearrange the tableau and escape difficult positions.
- There is also no stock pile or redeal. Every card is already on the table, so you are not waiting for the next draw to solve a problem. Instead, the challenge comes from spotting useful connections and deciding which cards to move first.
Alaska Solitaire Strategy Tips
- Look both ways: When you find a useful card, check both adjacent ranks in the same suit before moving it.
- Reveal hidden cards: Moves that uncover face-down cards are usually more valuable than simple rearrangements.
- Save empty columns: Since only Kings can fill them, avoid creating an empty space without a plan.
- Think before using the foundation: A card may still be useful in the tableau, so do not rush every available move upward.
Why Play Alaska Solitaire?
Alaska Solitaire is a great choice if you like traditional card games but want more freedom in your moves. The combination of two-way building, group movement, and no stock pile turns every deal into a puzzle where careful planning matters more than waiting for the right draw.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can cards be built both up and down in Alaska Solitaire?
Yes. Tableau cards must share the same suit, but they can be placed on a card that is one rank higher or lower.
What makes Alaska Solitaire different from regular solitaire?
Its two-way building rule gives you more movement options. A card can connect to the next higher or lower rank as long as the suit matches.
Does Alaska Solitaire have a stock pile?
No. All 52 cards are dealt onto the tableau, so there is no stock pile or redeal to rely on.
Can I move groups of cards in Alaska Solitaire?
Yes. Face-up cards can be moved together when they form a valid sequence, helping you uncover cards deeper in the tableau.
What happens when a tableau column becomes empty?
Only a King can be moved into an empty column, either by itself or with a valid group attached.