Kings in the Corner
Build solitaire-style piles together and use kings to open the corner spaces.
Setup
Deal 7 cards each. Place four cards face-up around the draw pile.
How to Play
- Draw one card.
- Play cards onto piles in descending order, alternating color.
- Only kings can start corner piles.
- Move whole piles when legal to free spaces.
How to Win
First player to empty their hand wins.
Freeing a space can be more valuable than dumping one card.
Is Kings in the Corner Right for You?
Kings in the Corner is a solitaire-flavored game for two to four that feels like a cooperative-looking but quietly competitive game of building shared tableau piles. It is perfect for a quiet evening with family who like the rhythm of solitaire but want company.
Maybe skip it if: If you want fast, aggressive play or heavy interaction, its measured pace will bore you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting you may move whole piles onto others when the sequence and color allow, not just single cards.
- Drawing before you have made every useful play; you only end your turn by drawing, so squeeze out all moves first.
Strategy Tips
- Empty a foundation pile when you can so you have a free space to start a fresh sequence on your terms.
- Hold a King back if you have no corner started; placing it opens a valuable new building spot you control.
Popular Variations
Kings-only corners vs any-card corners
The standard rule reserves the four diagonal corner spaces for Kings only; some families allow any card to start a corner pile, which speeds the game up.
Our Take
We enjoy Kings in the Corner as a half-step up from patience: it keeps the satisfying tidy-the-tableau feeling of solitaire but adds just enough opponent interaction to matter. It is an underrated, genuinely relaxing family game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards do you deal in Kings in the Corner?
Deal seven cards to each player; the rest becomes the stock with four cards turned up to start the cross-shaped layout.
How do you win Kings in the Corner?
Be the first to empty your hand by playing all your cards onto the layout piles.