How to Play Agnes Bernauer Solitaire
Agnes Bernauer Solitaire is a variation of Klondike where you use 7 reserve piles.
Objective
The goal is to move all 52 cards to the foundation from Ace to King by suit. You do this by moving and organizing cards from the stock pile, reserve, and tableau.
The Setup and Play Area
Tableau: This is the area where there are 7 columns, all with face-up cards. The first column has 1 card, the second has 2 cards, and so on, with the seventh column having 7 cards. In total, there are 28 cards in the tableau.
Foundation piles: These are 4 piles where you aim to move all cards in ascending order. Each foundation pile will begin with a starting or based number, which is determined by a single card placed in the foundation at the beginning of the game. For example, if the starting card is a 8 of Hearts, it would be followed by a 9 of Hearts and so on until the final card is the 4 of Hearts. All other foundation piles would start with an 8 as well. Successfully placing all 52 cards in the foundation wins the game.
Reserve pile: These are the 7 cells in the middle of the game, with 1 card placed in each to start the game.
Stock pile: The remaining 17 cards go into the stock pile. Cards are dealt from the stock pile 7 at a time to the reserve.
Available moves
- Sequence cards in descending order in alternating colors. For example, you can move a 6 of Diamonds on top of a 7 of Clubs in a different tableau column.
- You can move multiple cards at one time. To move a group of cards, they must be sequenced, and the top card of that group must be placed on top of a card one rank higher and a different color.
- Reserve cards can be moved to the foundation or tableau.
- Cards at the bottom of the tableau can be moved to the foundation. To be moved, they must be in the right order based on the starting card in the foundation and be of the same suit.
- You can place any card in an empty tableau column.
- You win when all cards have been moved to the foundation.
Strategy
- Avoid having lower-ranking cards above higher-ranking cards in the same column. This will make sequencing these cards challenging.
- Sequence as many cards as you can before drawing from the stock pile or reserve.
- The first visible sequence may not always be the best one. Plan out your moves to remove as many cards as possible from the tableau.
- Try to empty the tableau columns quickly. Any card can be moved into empty columns, freeing up and allowing you to build more cards.
- If you get stuck, use the undo button. You may not always make the right moves, and you may need to reverse some to win the game.
- Try to build the foundations evenly. If one foundation is built immediately in the game, you now have fewer cards of that color to help you sequence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning?
Agnes Bernauer is a very challenging game. Of 1,465 attempted games, none were won.
What are similar solitaire games to try?
Face-up Klondike uses an open tableau, and Double Klondike uses two decks of cards. Canfield Solitaire is similar in that it starts with a base card in the foundation.
What are other popular Solitaire games?
Be sure to check out these Solitaire games:
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