Aces Up Solitaire

Aces Up (also known as Idiot's Delight or Firing Squad) is a satisfying patience card game where you eliminate cards that are outranked by another card of the same suit. The goal is simple: clear the board until only the four Aces remain. With a win rate around 10%, every victory feels earned.

How Aces Up Works

Start with four tableau piles, each containing one card, and a stock of 48 remaining cards. On each turn, look for top cards that share a suit with another top card — the lower-ranked one can be discarded (Aces are highest). Move cards to empty piles strategically, then deal four more cards from the stock when you're ready. Keep discarding until only Aces remain — or until you get stuck.

Strategy Meets Luck

Unlike pure-chance games like Clock Solitaire, Aces Up rewards smart decisions. Choosing when to deal from the stock and how to use empty columns can make the difference between a win and a loss. But unlike FreeCell, many deals are unwinnable no matter what you do — making it a compelling blend of skill and fortune.

Learn More

• How to Play Aces Up Solitaire — Complete rules, strategy tips, and history
• Play La Belle Lucie — Fan patience with same-suit building and the merci rule
• Play FreeCell — The classic strategic solitaire
• Types of Solitaire — Explore 20+ solitaire variants