Monte Carlo Solitaire
Remove adjacent pairs from a 5x5 grid and slide cards to refill.
Setup
Deal 25 cards face-up in a 5x5 grid. Keep the rest as stock.
How to Play
- Remove any adjacent pair of the same rank, including diagonals.
- Slide remaining cards left-to-right, top-to-bottom to close gaps.
- Refill from stock.
How to Win
Clear all cards or remove as many pairs as possible.
Look for pairs that open future pair adjacency, not just the first pair you see.
Is Monte Carlo Solitaire Right for You?
Monte Carlo lays out a grid of cards and lets you remove pairs of equal rank that sit adjacent (including diagonally), then consolidates the layout and refills. Reach for it when you want a gentle matching patience that is friendlier than Pyramid.
Maybe skip it if: If you want deep strategy, the limited adjacency rules leave you fewer meaningful choices than skill games like FreeCell.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Removing a pair without checking whether it strands two other matching cards apart.
- Forgetting to slide the layout to close gaps before deciding your next pair.
Strategy Tips
- Before removing a pair, scan whether it will isolate other matchable cards.
- Consolidate the grid thoughtfully so freshly dealt cards land near potential partners.
- Prioritize clearing cards that are blocking the consolidation from flowing well.
Popular Variations
Weddings
A relative that removes pairs summing to a target rather than matching ranks.
Neighbour adjacency rules
Some versions allow only horizontal/vertical neighbours rather than diagonals, which makes it harder.
Our Take
We find Monte Carlo a relaxing, mildly thinky matching game that goes out more often than Pyramid does. It is a pleasant middle ground, though it never reaches the genuine puzzle depth of the open-information solitaires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cards can you pair in Monte Carlo?
Two cards of the same rank that are adjacent horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in the layout.
What happens after you remove pairs?
The remaining cards slide together to close the gaps and the layout is topped up from the stock.