How to Play Hole in One Solitaire
The goal of Hole in One Solitaire is to clear the tableau by moving cards to the waste pile if they are one rank higher or lower than the top waste card, regardless of suit or color.
Hole in One Solitaire Setup
Hole in One Solitaire uses one standard 52-card deck and is laid out in three main areas:
- Tableau: The tableau consists of a single facedown card at the top and ten columns of three face-up cards each below it. Only the uncovered card in each column is available to play at the start of the game.
- Waste pile: Cards are played into the waste pile. The waste pile starts empty, and you begin by placing any exposed tableau card on the pile. After that, you add cards one rank higher or lower than the top card.
- Stockpile: The remaining 21 cards form the stockpile. When no moves are available, you can flip a stockpile card face-up into the waste pile. This new card becomes the active waste pile card for continuing play.
Hole in One Solitaire Rules
- Start the waste pile with a tableau card. This becomes the starting card for your sequence.
- Move exposed tableau cards to the waste pile if they are one rank higher or lower. Only the bottom card of each column can be moved, and suit and color don't matter. For example, if the top card is a 7, you can play a 6 or an 8. You can move up or down freely (like 7→8→9→8→7→6), switching direction whenever the next rank fits.
- Use the stockpile when you get stuck. If you can't sequence any more cards from the tableau, flip a card from the stockpile to the waste pile to restart your sequence. You can turn over cards as often as you need until the stock runs out.
- Wrapping is allowed. The rank order wraps, so you can play an ace on a king or a king on an ace to continue your sequence.
- Flip the facedown card face-up when it's uncovered. This card can't be sequenced until it's uncovered. It joins the playable tableau cards and can be moved to the waste pile if it fits the sequence.
- You only get one pass through the stockpile. If you use every stock card and still have unplayable cards left on the tableau, the game ends.
Hole in One Solitaire Strategies
- Start the waste pile with the card that will lead to the most moves. Choose a card that will give you the longest sequence. Scan the cards at the bottom of each column as well as cards you might reveal in this first sequence. For example, if you have two nines exposed but playing one of the nines will reveal another eight, you can extend your sequence by playing 7→8→9→8.
- Prioritize uncovering the hidden card. If you play through all the cards that could pair with the facedown card before it's revealed, you will lose the game. So try to clear the columns that hide it as early as possible so you can strategize for pairing that card.
- Use the stockpile as a last resort. Because you only get one pass through the stock, avoid drawing from it until you're completely out of tableau moves. You may move through more than one card until you get a playable one, which reduces your stockpile further.
- Play the longest sequences possible. Plan ahead to create a long sequence by moving up or down in rank when necessary. This helps to clear the tableau quicker.
- Watch for roadblocks. Watch for cards buried in columns that could be an issue. For example, if three sixes are buried, you need to plan to use fives or sevens to pair with them.
If you enjoy the pace and planning of Hole in One Solitaire, try other golf-style games next, such as Tripeaks Solitaire or Golf Solitaire to test your sequencing skills even further. Play them all for free on Solitaired and see if you can score your next hole in one!
