Scorpion Solitaire Rules

How to Play Scorpion Solitaire

Scorpion Solitaire is a challenging single-deck patience game that rewards careful planning and sharp observation. It shares DNA with Spider Solitaire — both require you to build same-suit sequences — but Scorpion adds a distinctive twist: you can pick up any face-up card together with every card on top of it as a single group, regardless of whether the stacked cards form a valid sequence. This generous group-move rule makes the game feel open and fluid, yet winning still demands precise sequencing because only ordered same-suit runs from King down to Ace count as completed.

Game Setup

Scorpion uses a single standard 52-card deck. Shuffle the deck thoroughly, then deal 49 cards into seven columns as follows:

• Columns 1 through 4: Each receives seven cards. The first three cards in each column are dealt face-down and the top four cards are dealt face-up.
• Columns 5 through 7: Each receives seven cards, all dealt face-up.
• Reserve: The three remaining cards are set aside face-down as a reserve pile. These cards will be used later when no more moves are available.

After the deal, 12 cards are face-down (3 in each of the first four columns) and 37 cards are face-up across all seven columns.

Building Rules

Tableau columns are built down in rank by same suit. For example, the 9 of Hearts may be placed only on the 10 of Hearts. This same-suit restriction makes Scorpion considerably tighter than games that allow alternating-color builds.

Group Moves

Scorpion's defining feature is its group-move rule. You may select any face-up card in a column and move it along with all cards on top of it, even if those cards do not form a proper descending same-suit sequence. The only requirement is that the bottom card of the group you are moving must be placed onto a card that is one rank higher and of the same suit. Cards above the moved card come along for the ride regardless of their ranks or suits.

Revealing Face-Down Cards

Whenever a face-down card becomes the topmost card in a column (because every card above it has been moved away), it is immediately flipped face-up and becomes available for play. Uncovering these hidden cards is essential to progress.

Empty Columns

When every card is moved out of a column, that column becomes empty. Only a King — or a group of cards whose bottom card is a King — may be placed in an empty column. This rule differs from Spider Solitaire, where any card can fill a vacancy, and adds an extra layer of planning to Scorpion.

Using the Reserve

When you reach a point where no useful moves remain, deal the three reserve cards face-up, one onto the top of each of the first three columns (columns 1, 2, and 3). The reserve is a one-time resource — once all three cards have been dealt, no further deals are available. Timing the reserve wisely can open up new sequences, so avoid using it prematurely.

Completing Suit Sequences

When a full 13-card sequence of the same suit in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace) is assembled within a single column, that sequence is removed from play and set aside. The game is won when all four suit sequences have been completed and removed. If no more moves are available and sequences remain incomplete, the game is lost.

Quick Reference

Quick Tips

• Prioritize uncovering face-down cards in columns 1 through 4 early; the hidden information they reveal changes your options significantly.
• Try to consolidate cards of the same suit together, even if the full sequence is not yet in order, so fewer moves are needed later.
• Avoid creating empty columns unless you have a King ready to fill them, since only Kings may occupy an empty space.
• Save the reserve for as long as possible — once it is dealt, you lose your only safety net.