Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions About Canfield Solitaire
Answers to the most common questions about Canfield Solitaire rules, strategy, and gameplay. Whether you are new to Canfield or looking to clarify a specific mechanic, you will find the answer below.
What makes Canfield different from Klondike Solitaire?
Canfield and Klondike are often confused, but they differ in several important ways. Canfield uses a 13-card reserve pile with only the top card visible, while Klondike has a cascading tableau with hidden face-down cards. In Canfield, the foundation starting rank is determined by a randomly dealt card and sequences wrap (King to Ace), whereas Klondike always starts foundations from Ace and builds straight up to King. Canfield also begins with just one card per tableau column instead of Klondike’s staircase pattern of 1 through 7 cards.
How does foundation wrapping work in Canfield?
Foundation wrapping means that building continues past the King by looping back to Ace and continuing upward. If your foundation starter is a 9, the complete sequence on that foundation would be 9-10-J-Q-K-A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8, all in the same suit. Every foundation follows the same wrapping pattern regardless of which rank starts the sequence. This wrapping rule is what makes Canfield distinctive among solitaire games.
Can I move groups of cards in Canfield?
Yes, you can move complete properly-sequenced groups of cards from one tableau column to another. The entire group must form a valid descending sequence in alternating colors. You cannot split a sequence and move only part of it. For example, if a column contains a red 8 on a black 9 on a red 10, you can move all three cards together onto a black Jack in another column.
What happens when the reserve pile runs out?
Once all 13 cards in the reserve have been played, the reserve is not refilled. This is actually a positive milestone because it removes the restriction on empty tableau columns. While the reserve exists, empty tableau columns must be filled from the reserve. After the reserve is depleted, empty columns can be filled from the waste pile or by moving any available card or sequence, giving you much greater flexibility.
How many times can I go through the stock pile?
In standard Canfield rules, you may cycle through the stock an unlimited number of times. When the stock is exhausted, pick up the waste pile, turn it face-down without shuffling, and it becomes the new stock. Some rule variations limit you to a fixed number of passes (often two or three) to increase difficulty. The version on SuitedGames follows the traditional unlimited-pass rule.
What is the difference between dealing three cards and one card from the stock?
In the standard game, three cards are dealt from the stock at once to the waste pile, and only the top card is immediately playable. This means roughly two-thirds of the stock cards are initially inaccessible each pass. In easy mode, cards are dealt one at a time, making every single stock card available in sequence. Easy mode significantly increases your chances of winning because no cards are buried behind inaccessible cards in the waste pile.
What is the win rate for Canfield Solitaire?
Canfield has an estimated win rate of roughly 10% to 30%, depending on the variant played and the skill of the player. The three-card deal version sits closer to 10%, while the one-card deal version can approach 30% with optimal play. By comparison, Klondike Solitaire has a win rate of approximately 30% with three-card dealing. Canfield was originally a casino game precisely because it was difficult enough to be profitable for the house.
How should I fill an empty tableau column?
When a tableau column becomes empty, the rules dictate a specific priority. If the reserve still has cards, the top card of the reserve must fill the empty column. You do not have a choice in this matter. Only after the reserve is completely exhausted can you fill empty columns with cards from the waste pile or from other tableau columns. This forced filling from the reserve is a key strategic consideration when deciding whether to clear a column.
Does the tableau wrap around like the foundations?
Yes. Tableau building in Canfield wraps around, just like the foundations. When building downward by alternating color, an Ace can be placed on a 2 of the opposite color, and a King can be placed on an Ace of the opposite color. This wrapping rule on the tableau is another feature that distinguishes Canfield from many other solitaire games where the lowest tableau card is always an Ace or King.
Who was Richard Canfield and why is the game named after him?
Richard A. Canfield was a renowned American gambling house proprietor in the late 1800s. He operated an upscale casino in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he offered this solitaire game as a wager. Players paid $52 for a deck of cards and received $5 back for every card successfully placed on a foundation. Since most players managed fewer than 5 or 6 foundation cards on average, the house maintained a reliable profit. The game became so associated with his establishment that it permanently took his name.
Ready to test your Canfield skills? Play with automatic move validation, unlimited undo, and both standard and easy dealing modes.
Play Canfield Solitaire Now