How to Play Canfield Solitaire

Canfield Solitaire is a challenging patience game named after Richard A. Canfield, a famous 19th-century casino owner in Saratoga Springs, New York. In the original casino version, players paid $52 for a deck and earned $5 per card placed on the foundations — the house almost always came out ahead.

The game is known as Demon or Demon Patience in the United Kingdom. It features a unique 13-card reserve pile, a randomly determined foundation base rank, and wrapping in both foundation and tableau builds.

A standard 52-card deck is dealt as follows:

1. Reserve pile: 13 cards dealt face-down in a stack. Only the top card is turned face-up. This pile sits at the top-left of the layout.
2. First foundation card: One card is dealt face-up to start the first of four foundation piles. Its rank becomes the base rank — all foundations must start from this rank.
3. Tableau: Four columns, each receiving one face-up card.
4. Stock pile: The remaining 34 cards form the stock, dealt face-down.

There are four foundation piles. Each builds up in suit starting from the base rank, wrapping from King back through Ace.

For example, if the base rank is 7, each foundation builds: 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → J → Q → K → A → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6.

A foundation pile is complete when it contains 13 cards. You win when all four foundations are complete (all 52 cards placed).

The four tableau columns build down in alternating colors, also with wrapping (an Ace can be placed on a 2, and a King can be placed on an Ace of the opposite color).

You can move any valid sequence of cards — a properly ordered group built down in alternating colors — from one column to another, as long as the bottom card of the group follows the building rule on the destination.

Empty columns are automatically filled from the reserve pile. If the reserve is empty, any card or valid sequence can fill an empty column.

The reserve holds 13 cards at the start, with only the top card face-up. The top card can be played to any valid foundation or tableau position.

When the top card is played, the next card automatically flips face-up. Depleting the reserve is a key strategic goal — the 12 hidden cards represent crucial information about your available resources.

Click the stock pile to deal three cards face-up to the waste pile. Only the top card of the waste pile is playable — it can go to any valid foundation or tableau position.

When the stock runs out, click the empty stock area to recycle the waste pile back into the stock. This can be done unlimited times, giving you many passes through the deck.

1. Deplete the reserve early. Every card you play from the reserve reveals a new card and gives you more information. Prioritize moves that empty tableau columns (which auto-fill from the reserve).
2. Track the base rank. Know which rank you need to start each foundation. Don’t bury cards of the base rank in long tableau sequences.
3. Build evenly on foundations. Don’t rush one foundation far ahead of the others. Even building ensures you don’t block needed cards on the tableau.
4. Use the tableau strategically. With only four columns, space is extremely limited. Avoid building long sequences unless they lead to productive plays. Keep columns short to maintain flexibility.
5. Count the waste pile. With unlimited redeals, pay attention to which cards cycle through the waste. If a key card is three deep, plan your draws to access it.
6. Don’t move to foundations too eagerly. A card on the foundation is permanent. If you need a specific card for tableau building, keep it on the tableau until its role is fulfilled.