Canfield Solitaire
A 13-card reserve, foundations that start on a random rank and wrap around, and unlimited redeals.
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How to play Canfield Solitaire
Canfield was invented in a casino: players bought a deck for $50 and were paid per card they got home, which tells you plenty about the odds. The foundations start on whatever rank is dealt first and wrap around past the King, and a thirteen-card reserve feeds your columns whether you like it or not.
Rules
- Thirteen cards go to the reserve, one card starts the first foundation and sets the base rank, and four columns get one card each.
- Foundations build up in suit from the base rank and wrap around: after the King comes the Ace.
- Columns build down in alternating colours and wrap the same way — a King may be placed on an Ace.
- An empty column is refilled automatically from the reserve.
- The stock turns three cards at a time, with unlimited redeals.
- Get all 52 cards onto the four foundations to win.
Tips to win more often
- Clear the reserve. Every card you take from it is one less obstacle later on.
- Do not empty a column for the sake of it — the reserve refills it immediately and you may not want that card.
- Remember the wrap: a King on an Ace is legal and often the move everyone misses.
- Track the waste order over a full pass, then plan the pass after it.
- Winning is rare. Treat a half-filled foundation as a decent result and move on.
Canfield Solitaire at a glance
| Deck | 1 deck (52 cards) |
|---|---|
| Layout | 4 columns, 13-card reserve, 4 foundations |
| Foundations | Start at a random rank and wrap past the King |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Winnable deals | Roughly 1 deal in 30 — a casino game by design |
Playing on a phone or Chromebook
The board resizes to whatever screen you are on. Drag a card with your finger, or simply tap it and it moves to the first place it legally fits. On a keyboard, N starts a new game, U undoes, H gives a hint and Space draws from the stock.
More free solitaire games
Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire, TriPeaks Solitaire, Golf Solitaire — or see all twelve on the solitaire hub.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the foundations not start on an Ace?
Canfield deals one card at the start and that rank becomes the base for all four foundations. They wrap past the King back to the Ace.
What is the reserve for?
It is a stack of thirteen cards that automatically fills any empty column. Clearing it is the main route to a win.
How many redeals do I get?
Unlimited — you can keep cycling the stock three cards at a time for as long as you are making progress.
Is Canfield the same as Demon patience?
Yes, Demon is the British name for the same game.
Why is Canfield so hard to win?
It was designed as a casino game where the house expected to win. Around one deal in thirty goes out.
Can a King really go on an Ace?
Yes. Both foundations and columns wrap around, which catches out players coming from Klondike.