Scorpion Solitaire

In Scorpion Solitaire 49 cards from the deck are dealt into 7 columns of 7 cards. The first 2 cards of the first four columns are dealt face down. These cards may not be moved or turned face up until they are the top card in that column. Cards may be moved between the columns if the value of the card being moved is one lower than the top card in the column it is being moved to, and it is of the same suit. Unlike many other solitaire games, Scorpion Solitaire does not have any foundations. All cards must be arranged within the columns. At any time the player may click the deck on the lower part of the game screen to deal the last 3 cards in the deck into the first 3 columns. The object of the game is to arrange all the cards in the deck into 4 columns of the same suit, arranged from King to Ace.

How to play Scorpion Solitaire

Game Basics

As with other solitaire games, Scorpion uses the 52 card deck. It is similar to both Yukon and Spider solitaire. At the end of the game, the object is to have four columns of cards in suit descending from King to Ace. The sequencing is the standard of King, Queen, Jack, 10, and so on with the Ace being the low card below the Deuce. There are no foundation piles in this game.

The Deal

Cards are dealt into 7 columns of 7 cards each with 3 cards left over. The first 4 columns have the first and second cards dealt face down. The remaining cards are then placed face up with the exception of the three remaining cards which are placed at the bottom of the playing area face down. This will end with 41 cards showing. The first 4 columns will have 2 cards face down at the top and 5 cards face up. In the remaining 3 columns, all 7 cards are face up.

Game Play

Individual or groups of cards are moved between the columns with the ultimate goal of ending up with four columns of each suit with King at the top descending down to the Ace. The card or top card if in a group can be placed on a card with a value of 1 greater than it and in the same suit.

For example, a 4-Spades can be placed only on a 5-Spades. Any cards below the top card in a group must remain in the same order they were originally. However, they can be selected to be moved again later individually or in a different group.

At any time during the game, the player can click on the 3 reserved cards below the playing area and they will be dealt into the bottom of the first three columns.

The game ends with either a successful completion of all four suits in their descending order columns or when there are no more moves possible that will advance the game.

Strategies

Naturally one goal is to reveal the 8 cards face down at the top of the first 4 columns. While shifting cards, make the moves count by making every attempt to organize cards by suit in descending order, even if only in sections.

For instance in one column you might have the King, Queen, Jack of Spades, and in another the 8, 7, and 6 of spades. Working this way in blocks makes later moves more productive for assembling cards into suits.

Also, be careful not to end up with all lower value cards at the bottom of all of your columns. This makes it hard to shift other cards onto them. Once a 3, 2, or Ace is at the bottom of a column, it makes placement of other cards limited. Unlike many other solitaire games, a King is not required to fill an empty column.

At first glance, the game appears complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it is a lot of fun to play.