How to Play Scorpion Solitaire

Scorpion blends Spider's strict sequences with Yukon's flexible group moves. Deal hidden cards into the first four tableau piles, then maneuver face-up cards to uncover them and complete full-suit sequences to move to foundations.

Setup

1. Four foundation piles are empty and will only accept complete suit sequences from King down to Ace.
2. Seven tableau piles are dealt: the first four columns each receive seven cards (three face-down, four face-up), and the last three columns receive seven cards all face-up.
3. Three additional cards remain in reserve; click the stock (labeled Reserve) to deal them out onto the tableau piles, one card per pile, any time you choose.

How to play

• Build tableau piles downward by one rank in the same suit (for example, put a 6 of hearts on a 7 of hearts).
• Move any face-up card or group of face-up cards together to another pile, even if the group is not in sequence—only the bottom card of the group needs to match the build rule.
• When you move a card, all cards on top of it move as a unit.
• Only a King or a sequence beginning with a King can fill an empty tableau pile.
• Click the stock to deal the three reserved cards onto the tableau piles whenever you want; you only get this one pass, so consider timing it carefully.
• Complete full suit sequences from King to Ace and move them together to a foundation.

How to win

Objective: Move all 52 cards to the four foundations as complete 13-card sequences, one sequence per suit.

You win when all four foundation piles each hold a complete sequence from King down to Ace in the same suit. You're stuck when no moves remain after dealing the reserve cards.

Tips

• Prioritize uncovering face-down cards early—they block your options and must be exposed to win.
• Avoid completing suit sequences prematurely; keep columns flexible unless uncovering a face-down card.
• Build downward strategically to create access to hidden cards rather than just filling empty spaces.

Play Scorpion free on Windows

CardTray is a free solitaire app for Windows that includes Scorpion alongside 300+ other games. It saves every move as you play, so you can close the window and pick the game up later, replay any deal, and take on a new Daily Challenge deal every day. Browse every game in the Game Gallery.

Related games

More games from the Scorpion family:

• Sevastopol — Sevastopol is an easier variant of Kiev.
• Chelicera — A Scorpion-style solitaire where you arrange each tableau pile into a same-suit descending run starting from a King.
• Chinese — A Scorpion variation with a small reserve that adds cards to the tableau.