Kings in the Corner
Build down in alternating colours and put Kings in the corners.
How to play Kings in the Corner
Kings in the Corner is a friendly card game for 2 to 4 players. It feels like Solitaire, but you share the table with other players. Four piles lie face up in a cross around the deck, and the four corners are saved for Kings.
Goal
Be the first player to play every card in your hand.
The deal
Each player gets seven cards. Four more cards are placed face up to the north, east, south and west of the deck. If one of them is a King, it moves to a corner and another card takes its place.
Turn by turn
- Start your turn by drawing one card from the deck (this happens on its own here).
- Play a card on any pile if it is one rank lower and the other colour. A red 8 goes on a black 9; a black Jack goes on a red Queen.
- Play a King into an empty corner. Only Kings can start a corner pile.
- Move a whole pile onto another pile when its bottom card fits the other pile's top card. A side pile that starts with a King can also move to an empty corner.
- When a side space is empty, you may put any card from your hand there to start a new pile.
- Make as many plays as you like, then end your turn. You may also end your turn without playing.
Playing on this site
Glowing cards in your hand can be played. Tap a card: if it fits in only one place, it goes there; otherwise the possible piles glow and you tap one. Tap a pile to move it, then tap where it should go. Press End turn (or E) when you are done. On a keyboard, use Tab and the arrow keys, Enter to choose and Escape to cancel.
End of the game
The first player with no cards left wins. If the deck is empty and nobody can play for a whole round, the game is blocked: the player with the fewest penalty points wins (a King counts 10, any other card 1).
Strategy tips
- Move piles first. Before playing from your hand, look for a pile that fits on another pile. Moving it opens a free space for any card.
- Fill empty spaces yourself. An empty side space lets the next player get rid of any card. Fill it with your hardest card to play, such as a high card you cannot place elsewhere.
- Start chains. When you fill a space, choose a card that your other cards can follow. A black 9 is great if you also hold a red 8 and a black 7.
- Get rid of Kings early. A King can only go in a corner or an empty side space. If you are stuck with one when the game is blocked, it costs 10 points.
- Watch the tops. Every top card is a chance for the next player too. If you have a choice, leave tops that you can use next turn.
Kings in the Corner FAQ
Is Kings in the Corner the same as Kings Corners?
Yes. The game is also called Kings Corners, King's Corners or Corner Kings. Small rule details differ from family to family; this version follows the most common rules.
Can I end my turn without playing a card?
Yes. You always draw one card at the start of your turn, but after that you may stop whenever you like, even without playing.
What happens when the deck runs out?
Play goes on without drawing. If nobody can play for a full round, the game ends and the player with the fewest penalty points wins.
How does the computer play?
Easy plays at random and often stops early. Medium plays every card it can in a sensible order. Hard searches every order of plays in its turn to keep the table hard for you.
