Canfield Solitaire
Clear a 13-card reserve and build up from a random start card.
How to play Canfield Solitaire
Canfield is a quick, lively solitaire played with one deck. In Britain it is called Demon. At the start, 13 cards are dealt to the reserve, with only the top card face up. The next card goes to the first foundation. Its rank is the base card for all four foundations. Four more cards start the four tableau columns, and the remaining 34 form the stock.
Goal
Move all 52 cards to the four foundations. Each foundation is built up in one suit, starting from the base rank and going round the corner: if the base is a 7, you play 7, 8 … Queen, King, Ace, 2 … up to 6.
Turn by turn
- In the four columns, build down in alternating colours: a red 6 on a black 7. Building also goes round the corner, so a King can go on an Ace.
- You can move the top card of a column, or an ordered group of cards, onto another column.
- The top card of the reserve can go to a foundation or onto a column. When a column becomes empty, the top reserve card fills it at once.
- When the reserve is empty, you may fill an empty column with any card.
- Tap the stock to turn cards onto the waste: three at a time in the classic game, or one at a time if you choose Draw 1. Only the top waste card can be played. When the stock runs out, tap it to turn the waste over and go again, as often as you like.
Playing on this site
Drag cards, or tap a card and then tap where it should go. Double-tap sends a card home or to the best column. Base cards, and the next card in each suit, go up by themselves. Hint shows a move and Undo has no limit. Keyboard: arrows, Enter, D to draw and H for a hint.
End of the game
You win when every card is on a foundation. Draw 3 is the classic, tougher game; Draw 1 wins much more often.
Strategy tips
- Empty the reserve. The reserve is the heart of the game. Most wins come from playing its cards out quickly, so always look for a reserve move first.
- Use spaces for the reserve. An empty column is filled from the reserve right away, which uncovers the next reserve card. Emptying a column is often the best move on the table.
- Remember the base rank. The foundations start from the base card, not from the Ace. A King is not the end of a foundation if the base is higher, so plan with the wrap-around in mind.
- Count the stock. In Draw 3 only every third card is playable. Moving one card from the waste changes which cards come up on the next pass.
- Don't build too long. Long columns tie up cards you may need on the foundations. Play cards home when the matching foundation is ready.
Canfield Solitaire FAQ
Why does the first foundation start with a random card?
That card sets the base rank. All four foundations must start with a card of that rank, and they build up from there, going from King back to Ace when needed.
What is the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
Draw 3 turns three stock cards at a time and only the top one can be played, which is the classic and harder game. Draw 1 turns a single card and is much easier.
Why did a card jump into an empty column?
In Canfield an empty column is filled straight away with the top card of the reserve. Once the reserve is empty, you choose what goes there.
Is Canfield the same as Demon?
Yes. Canfield is the American name and Demon is the British one. The rules are the same.
