Solitaire, also known as Patience, is a classic and popular card game enjoyed by people all around the world. Playing solitaire provides a great mental challenge and can be an enjoyable pastime. Whether you’re new to the game or need a refresher, this step-by-step guide will show you how to set up solitaire correctly.

Materials Needed:

– A standard deck of 52 playing cards (without jokers)

1. Prepare the cards:

Shuffle the deck thoroughly to ensure a proper random distribution of the cards.

2. Layout foundation piles:

The foundation piles are where each suit will eventually be placed in ascending order (Ace to King). In your playing area, make room for four piles in a horizontal row. These piles will remain blank until an Ace is played on them.

3. Layout tableau piles:

Starting from left to right, lay out seven cards face down horizontally. The first card should be placed face up, and the remaining six should be placed face down. This creates the first tableau pile.

4. Build downward tableau piles:

For the remaining tableau piles, place an additional face-down card on top of each previously laid down card, but with one extra card for each pile as you progress from left to right (2nd pile has 2 cards with the top card flipped up, 3rd pile has 3 cards with the top card flipped up, and so forth until there are seven tableau piles).

5. Form a stockpile:

The remaining cards in the deck become your stockpile. Simply place them face down next to your playing area within easy reach.

Once you have completed this setup process, you are ready to begin playing solitaire! Your goal is to move all of your cards onto the foundations starting with an ace of each suit and building upwards in sequential order until reaching the kings.

Keep in mind; the tableau piles will have cards of opposite colors (red and black) on descending sequential order. To expose hidden cards, move available cards to appropriate destination piles or fill any empty tableau slots with a King.

Ultimately, playing solitaire is all about using strategy and patience. By setting up the game correctly and familiarizing yourself with the rules, you will no doubt become a solitaire aficionado. Enjoy your game!