Quick Rules
Scorpion Solitaire is played with one deck. Forty-nine cards are laid out in seven columns of seven, and three cards are kept back as the stock. Your goal is to sort the columns into four runs, one for each suit, each running from King down to Ace.
- Build down in the same suit. A card can go only onto the card one rank higher of its own suit: the 6 of hearts onto the 7 of hearts.
- Move any face-up card. You can pick up a card from anywhere in a column. Every card on top of it comes along, in whatever order they are in.
- Land on the last card of a column. The card you move onto has to be the end card of its column, with nothing on top of it.
- Empty columns take Kings. Only a King, with the cards on it, can fill an empty column.
- Hidden cards. Twelve cards start face down. Each one turns over when you uncover it.
- The stock. Tap the stock once, when you choose, to deal its three cards onto the first three columns.
- Finish a run. A complete King-to-Ace run of one suit is set aside automatically. Finish all four to win.
How to move cards
Tap a card and it moves to the one place it can go, taking the cards on top of it along. If it can't move, the game tells you which card is in the way. You can also drag cards if you prefer.
Tips for Winning
- Go after the face-down cards. The twelve hidden cards sit at the bottom of the first four columns. Until they are turned over, you can't finish.
- Look below before you move. If the group you are moving will end up above a card that needs to go onto it, those two are stuck in the same column. Check the column you are moving to first.
- Find the trouble spots early. Look for a card lying under the next-higher card of its suit, such as the 4 of clubs somewhere beneath the 5 of clubs. Those take planning to untangle.
- Don't rush the stock. The three stock cards cover the ends of the first three columns. Make the moves you need there first.
- Use Hint and Undo. Hint tells you whether the deal can still be won. If it can't, Undo back a few moves and try another way.
More Scorpion Solitaire strategy tips
Like this kind of game? Spider Solitaire also builds King-to-Ace runs, with two decks and a gentler one-suit version. Yukon Solitaire lets you move groups of cards in any order, just as Scorpion does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scorpion Solitaire free?
Yes. You can play as many games as you like for free, with no account, no download and no popup ads.
Is Scorpion Solitaire hard?
Yes, it is one of the harder solitaire games. The rules are simple, but one careless move can lock two cards away from each other for the rest of the game. Expect to lose more often than you win, even with good play. Undo and Hint are there to help you learn.
Can every deal be won?
No. Under the standard rules, most random shuffles of Scorpion can't be won however well you play. In our own testing, a computer search found a win in only about one shuffle in eight. That is why New Game normally picks a shuffle we have checked can be won. Winnable does not mean easy, and you may need Undo to find the way. You can turn this off in Settings and take the cards as they come.
Why can't I move this card?
A card can only go onto the card one rank higher of the same suit, and that card has to be the last card in its column. The 6 of hearts can only go onto the 7 of hearts. If the 7 of hearts is face down, or has other cards on top of it, the 6 has to wait. Tap the card and the game tells you what is in the way.
What can go in an empty column?
Under the standard rule, only a King, together with any cards on top of it. If you would like an easier game, turn on Any card can fill an empty column in Settings.
When should I deal the three stock cards?
You can deal them whenever you like, but only once. They land on the first three columns and cover whatever is there. Most of the time it is best to make the moves you need on those three columns first, then deal.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. Undo is unlimited, and it works even after you deal the stock. You can take back moves all the way to the start of the deal.
What does Hint do?
Hint points out a good move and says why. When the game can work out the rest of the deal, it also tells you whether the deal can still be won from where you are. If it can't, Undo a few moves and try another way.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your game is saved in your browser after every move. Close the page and come back later, and you can pick up where you left off on the same device. Your statistics are saved the same way.
What is the deal number for?
Every shuffle has a number, such as Deal #48213. Type that number in Settings to play the same deal again, or share it with a friend so you can both try the same cards.
More Free Games
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