Gaps Solitaire (Montana)

Gaps Solitaire — also known as Montana — is a captivating patience card game where all 52 cards are dealt face-up into a 4×13 grid. After removing the four Aces to create gaps, you slide cards into the empty spaces to build complete suit sequences from 2 through King in each row.

How Gaps Works

A card can move into a gap only if it is one rank higher and the same suit as the card immediately to its left. For instance, if the 7♥ sits to the left of a gap, only the 8♥ can fill it. Gaps in the leftmost column accept any 2, since rows must start with a 2. A gap to the right of a King or another gap is “dead” — nothing can go there.

Redeals

When you run out of moves, you can redeal (up to 2 times). Cards that form a correct sequence from the left of their row — starting with a 2 — are locked in place. All other cards are gathered, shuffled, and redealt. Aces are removed again to create fresh gaps. Use your redeals wisely — they're limited!

Strategy Tips

• Prioritize placing 2s in the leftmost column early to start building sequences.
• Avoid creating dead gaps next to Kings — plan moves to keep gaps productive.
• Build sequences from the left side of each row to lock more cards during redeals.
• Save redeals for when you're truly stuck — sometimes one more move opens up.

Learn More

• How to Play Gaps — Complete rules and strategy guide
• Play Cruel Solitaire — Another patience game with redeals
• Play FreeCell — The classic free cell solitaire
• Types of Solitaire — Explore 20+ solitaire variants