Scorpion Solitaire Rules Explained
Scorpion Solitaire deals 49 cards into seven columns, with three in reserve. Build downward on same-suit cards, move any face-up card with the cards beneath it, deal the reserve onto the first three columns when stuck, and finish four King-to-Ace runs, one per suit.
The deal
There are seven columns of seven cards, overlapped downwards. In each of the first four columns the top three cards are face down; the rest are face up. The last three columns are entirely face up. Three cards are left over as the reserve.
| Columns 1–4 | 3 face down, 4 face up |
|---|---|
| Columns 5–7 | 7 face up |
| Reserve | 3 cards, dealt once |
Making a move
Choose any face-up card. It and everything that lies below it in that column move together to another column. The destination must end in a card of the same suit that is exactly one rank higher. So the 6 of hearts goes onto the 7 of hearts, never the 7 of spades. It does not matter what the cards below the chosen card are.
An empty column takes a King and whatever hangs from it. A card left uncovered by a move turns face up.
The reserve
When you decide you are done, tap the reserve to place its three cards face up, one on each of columns 1, 2 and 3. They do not need to fit; they just land. This happens only once, so many players save it for the very last resort.
Finishing runs
The goal is a column that ends with King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and Ace of one suit, in order. When that happens the 13 cards vanish. Do it for all four suits and you win. If every column is stuck and the reserve is empty, the game is over.
A worked example
Step 1 of 7
Position
XX is face down. Column E is empty.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using the reserve while same-suit moves are still available.
- Burying a long run under a mismatched tail.
- Moving a King into an empty column when it was already at the top of its own column.
- Ignoring the face-down cards in the first four columns.
Prefer alternating colors? Yukon has a similar group move without the same-suit restriction.
Scorpion Solitaire: frequently asked
Why are the first four columns different?
They begin with three face-down cards each. Columns 5, 6 and 7 are entirely face up, so the opening moves usually come from there.
Can I use the reserve before I run out of moves?
Yes. There is no requirement to be stuck first, but it is wise to wait because the three cards fall on top of your tableau.
Does a run have to be in one suit to be moved?
No. Any face-up card can be moved with every card below it. The suit rule applies only when joining the moved card to a target.
What happens to a finished run?
As soon as a column ends with K, Q, J, 10 down to A, all in one suit, those 13 cards are cleared and shown at the top of the table.
Is every game winnable?
No. Plenty of deals end with an unsolvable tangle, but careful play can win a large share of them.