Learn & Play

How to Play Spanish Solitaire

Spanish Solitaire is a pocket-sized game of patience with the beautiful Spanish baraja — a Klondike-style solitaire adapted for the 40-card deck. Learn the rules here, then play free as part of our Spanish 10-in-1 collection.

Also part of

Spanish Card Games — 10 in 1

Google Play App Store

Players1

Deck40 cards

GoalMove every card to the Foundations

Play time~10 minutes

Overview

Spanish Solitaire is a pocket-sized game of patience played with the 40-card Baraja Española — the same Klondike-style solitaire you know, adapted for a smaller deck with no 8s, 9s or 10s. Move all 40 cards onto the four Foundations, one per suit, built in order Ace through King.

The Deck

A single 40-card deck — four suits of 10 ranks (Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Jack, Knight, King). Card art can be Spanish, Italian, Sicilian or French style; the layout and rules are identical either way.

The Layout

Stock — 12 face-down cards (top-left). Tap to deal 1 card to the Waste.
Waste — top card is available to play. One redeal allowed when Stock is empty.
Foundations ×4 — top-right. Each slot has a fixed suit. Build Ace to King per suit.
Tableau ×7 — build down in alternating colour. Column 1 has 1 card, column 7 has 7.

How to Play

Tap a card to select it, then tap a valid destination to move it.
Tableau to Tableau — place a card on one rank higher, opposite colour.
Empty column — only a King may start it.
To Foundation — Ace first, then in suit order. Double-tap to auto-send.
Face-down cards flip automatically when they become the top card — no tap needed.

Alternating Colours

Red suits (Coins, Cups) and black suits (Clubs, Swords) must alternate down the tableau — same-colour sequences, like red on red, are not allowed.

Strategy Tips

Expose face-down cards. Prioritise moves that uncover hidden cards — more options means more chances to win.
Save empty columns for Kings. Only Kings can fill them — use empties to reorganise long sequences.
Balance your foundations. Keep all four suits close in rank so none of them ends up blocking another.
Don't rush the stock. Exhaust useful tableau moves before drawing — you only get one redeal of the stock.
Use the hint. Tap it anytime to highlight the highest-value move when you feel stuck.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players does Spanish Solitaire need?

Spanish Solitaire is a single-player game, played with a 40-card Baraja Española.

How is Spanish Solitaire different from regular Klondike?

It uses a 40-card Spanish deck with no 8s, 9s or 10s, and the tableau has 7 columns adapted to that smaller deck, but the core alternating-colour build and foundation rules are the same.

How do you build the tableau?

Cards must alternate colour and descend in rank as you build down a column — for example, a red 6 on a black 7. Only a King can start an empty column.

How many redeals do you get?

Just one — once the 12-card stock is exhausted and the waste pile is redealt, you don't get another chance.

How do you win Spanish Solitaire?

Move all 40 cards onto the four suit Foundations, built in order from Ace up to King.