Canfield Solitaire
A reserve pile feeds your tableau, foundations start at a random rank and wrap — one of solitaire's great challenges.
How to play
Canfield is named after Richard A. Canfield, who ran a high-stakes gambling house in the 1890s where players would buy a deck for $50 and win $5 per card sent to the foundations. Only about 1 in 30 deals is winnable, making every victory a genuine achievement. The game's distinctive features — a reserve pile, foundations that start at a random rank and wrap around, and an empty-column restriction — combine to create a uniquely demanding puzzle.
The setup
13 cards are dealt to the reserve pile (only the top card is visible). One card is dealt to the first foundation — its rank becomes the base rank for all foundations. Four tableau columns receive one card each. The remaining 34 cards form the stock.
Foundations
All four foundations must start at the base rank (one per suit). Foundations build up in suit, wrapping around: for example, if the base rank is 7, build 7→8→9→10→J→Q→K→A→2→3→4→5→6. Win by filling all four foundations.
Tableau building
Tableau columns build down in alternating colors, wrapping allowed (Ace can go on 2, King on Ace). You can move single cards or entire valid sequences. Empty columns may only be filled from the reserve (or any card if the reserve is empty).
The reserve
Only the top card of the reserve is visible and playable. It can go to any foundation or tableau column, including empty ones. The reserve is your main source of new cards — use it wisely.
Stock and waste
Click the stock to deal 3 cards to the waste. Only the top waste card is playable. When the stock is empty, click it to recycle the entire waste pile back — you can do this as many times as needed.
Strategy tips
Prioritise getting the reserve top card onto the tableau or foundation to uncover new reserve cards. Be cautious with empty columns — only the reserve can fill them until the reserve is exhausted. Think ahead about which suits need to catch up on the foundations.