If you’re looking for a way to pass the time alone, card games are always a great option. And the best part is that there are plenty of one player card games that you can enjoy without needing an opponent. Here are some of the most popular one player card games:
1. Solitaire
Solitaire is perhaps the most well-known one player card game. The goal of the game is to move all cards from the tableau to the foundation piles, sorting them by suit and rank.
Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is a variant of solitaire and is probably what you think of when you hear “solitaire.” The game starts with seven tableau columns, with the first column containing one card, the second column containing two cards, and so on.
The top card of each tableau column is face up, while the rest are face down. The goal is to move all cards to four foundation piles in ascending order by suit.
Spider Solitaire
Spider Solitaire has eight tableau columns, each with a different number of cards. The first four columns have six cards each, and the remaining four columns have five cards each.
All cards in Spider Solitaire are initially dealt face down except for the top card in each column. The goal is to arrange all cards in descending order by suit.
2. FreeCell
FreeCell is another popular one player card game that involves moving all 52 cards to four foundation piles in ascending order by suit.
FreeCell solitaire
In FreeCell solitaire, all 52 cards are dealt face up into eight tableau piles. Four foundation piles are located in the upper-right corner. The goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles in ascending order by suit.
3. Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire is a fun and challenging one player card game that involves removing pairs of cards that add up to 13.
Classic Pyramid Solitaire
In Classic Pyramid Solitaire, the game starts with a pyramid of cards, with each row overlapping the one above it. The player must remove pairs of cards that add up to 13, such as a King and an Ace or a 10 and a 3. The game ends when all pairs have been removed or when no more pairs can be made.
4. Clock Patience
Clock Patience is a unique one player card game that involves arranging cards in a clock-like pattern.
Clock Patience rules
To play Clock Patience, shuffle the deck and place it face down in front of you. Draw the top card and place it face up in the center of your playing area. This is your “clock.”
Draw the next card and place it face up on top of the first card, setting it at the “1 o’clock” position. Continue drawing cards and placing them around your clock until you have all 12 positions filled. The goal is to move all cards from their current position to their correct position on the clock by matching them with other cards according to their rank or suit.
5. Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is another popular one player card game that involves removing cards from seven columns to build four columns in descending order.
Golf Solitaire rules
To play Golf Solitaire, deal seven columns of five face-down cards each. Turn over the top card of each column.
The remaining cards form a draw pile. The goal is to move all cards from the seven columns to four foundation piles in descending order, regardless of suit.
Conclusion
With so many one player card games to choose from, you’ll never be bored again. Whether you prefer classic solitaire or something a little more challenging, there’s a card game out there for everyone.