# How to Play Martha Solitaire

In Martha Solitaire, cards in the tableau alternate between face-up and face-down, and the foundation starts with Aces already placed there.

### Objective

The goal is to move and organize all cards from the tableau into 4 foundation piles in ascending order.

### The Setup and Play Area

**Tableau:** This is the area where cards are placed in 12 columns with 4 cards each. The first card in each column is face-down, the second card is face-up, the third card is face-down, and the fourth card is face-up. In total, there are 48 cards in the tableau.

**Foundation piles:** There are 4 foundation piles each starting with an Ace. Place cards here in ascending order by suit to win the game.

![How to setup Martha Solitaire](https://defbnszqe1hwm.cloudfront.net/images/Martha-Solitaire-setup.png) 

### Available moves

* The last exposed card in each tableau column can be moved to the foundation if it's in the correct ascending order. For example, to start the game, a 2 of Hearts can be moved on top of the Ace of Hearts.
* Only the last exposed card in the tableau column can be moved to the foundation or on top of another card of the of the opposite color, one rank higher. A 4 of Spades, for example, can be moved on top of a 5 of Diamonds.
* You can move multiple cards at a time in the tableau. To move a group of cards, they must be sequenced, and the top card of that group must be placed on top of another card one rank higher and of the opposite color.
* A face-down cards is turned over when the card on top of it is moved.
* Cards cannot be placed in empty tableau columns.
* You win when all cards are placed in the foundation.

## Strategy

* Immediately move the 2s to the foundation.
* 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.
* Because foundations are built from Ace to King, try to make low cards available so you can move them out of the tableau into the foundation.
* 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.
* 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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are similar games?

Try [Bisley Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/bisley), where the game starts with Aces already placed in the foundation.

### What is the probability of winning?

The game is challenging with a low win rate, even though you start with 4 cards in the foundation. We looked at 1,229 random games played. Of those, 13 were won, or 1.09%. Because cards cannot be moved to empty tableau columns, it limits your options to free up cards.

### What are other popular Solitaire games?

Be sure to check out these Solitaire games: 

* [Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/)
* [Klondike](https://solitaired.com/klondike-solitaire)
* [Mahjong](https://solitaired.com/mahjong)
* [Spider Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/spider-solitaire)
* [FreeCell Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/freecell)
* [Yukon Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/yukon-solitaire)
* [TriPeaks Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/tripeaks-solitaire)
* [Pyramid Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/pyramid-solitaire)
* [Golf Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/golf)