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Play Golf Solitaire: The Ultimate Guide to the Relaxing Card Game
Golf Solitaire is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable single-player card games out there, combining simplicity with just the right amount of challenge. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to pass the time or something to ease your mind after a hectic day, Play Golf Solitaire offers the perfect blend of mental stimulation and laid-back gameplay.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to play Golf Solitaire, offer strategies to help you score low, and make sure you’re ready for some enjoyable, solo card gaming!
What You Need to Play Golf Solitaire
Before diving into the game, let’s make sure you have everything you need:
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One standard 52-card deck: Make sure your deck doesn’t include jokers.
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A flat surface: A table or a clear space where you can lay out the cards will work just fine.
If you’re planning to play with others, each player should have their own deck of cards to ensure fairness. But if you’re going solo, one deck is all you need!
Setting Up Golf Solitaire: Dealing the Cards
Now that you’re ready to start, let’s go over how to set up the game:
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Shuffle the Deck: Mix the cards well to ensure a random deal.
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Deal the Cards into Columns: Lay out 7 columns, each containing 5 cards. The cards should be placed face-up, with each card slightly overlapping the one before it. This will allow you to see all the cards in play.
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The Draw Pile: Place the remaining cards in a stack beside the columns—this is your draw pile. You’ll use these cards to make moves during the game.
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Start the Discard Pile: Flip the top card from the draw pile and place it face-up next to it. This starts your discard pile.
How to Play Golf Solitaire: Step-by-Step
Now that the setup is complete, let’s dive into the gameplay. The objective of Play Golf Solitaire is to move cards from the tableau (the 7 columns) to the discard pile. The more cards you clear, the lower your score, just like in real-life golf!
Here’s how it works:
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Begin the Game: The game starts by flipping the top card from the draw pile. Place this card face-up next to the draw pile to begin the discard pile.
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Look for Moves: At the start of each turn, you’ll need to look at the top card from each of the 7 columns. The key rule is that you can move any card that is either one higher or one lower than the card on the discard pile.
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For example, if the discard pile shows a 6, you can place either a 5 or a 7 on it.
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The suit of the cards does not matter—only the value is important.
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Aces are special: they can be either high or low, meaning you can play a King or a 2 after an Ace.
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Keep Moving: Once you move a card from one of the columns, it’s replaced by the card directly underneath it, which then becomes available for play. You can continue playing cards from the tableau as long as there are valid moves.
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If you play a 5 on top of a 6, then the 4 and 6 cards in the tableau become available for the next move. You can go up or down the chain as much as possible.
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When No More Moves Are Available: If you can’t move any more cards from the tableau, you’ll need to draw a new card from the draw pile and add it to the discard pile. This keeps the game flowing and gives you new options.
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End the Game: The game ends when all the cards from the draw pile have been used up and no more valid moves remain in the tableau. At this point, count how many cards are left in the tableau.
Scoring in Golf Solitaire
Scoring in Golf Solitaire is simple and follows the same principle as golf itself—the fewer the points, the better. Here’s how to score:
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For each card left in the tableau, you earn 1 point.
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After the game ends, tally up all the remaining cards in the columns. The player with the lowest score wins.
If you’re playing multiple rounds, the goal is to finish with the lowest cumulative score after 9 rounds (holes). So, every round is important!
Tips and Strategies for Playing Golf Solitaire
While Play Golf Solitaire is a game of chance, there are a few strategies you can use to improve your chances of scoring low:
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Plan Ahead: Try to think a few moves ahead and avoid making quick decisions. If you can, leave cards that will give you better options later.
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Clear the Columns: The more columns you clear, the more space you create for moving cards around, increasing your chances of making moves.
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Use Aces Wisely: Since Aces can be high or low, try to save them for situations where you have limited moves left, as they offer great flexibility.
Conclusion
Play Golf Solitaire is a fantastic way to relax, improve your strategic thinking, and have fun—all at the same time. The simple rules make it easy to learn, but mastering it will take a bit of practice. Whether you play it solo or with friends, this card game offers endless enjoyment and is a great way to pass the time.
Remember, the key is to have as few points as possible at the end of each round. With patience and strategy, you’ll soon become a pro at this fun card game!
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