Deal – —
Batsford Solitaire
Using two decks offers more options, but Batsford Solitaire eliminates the chance to undo mistakes; the 49-card stock can be dealt through only once, and the reserve holds a maximum of three Kings.
Batsford Solitaire – Three King Slots And A Single Chance
Batsford Solitaire employs 104 cards from two standard decks, distributed across 10 tableau columns, a stock, a waste pile, a reserve, and 8 foundation piles. The tableau holds 55 cards arranged in a stepped pattern, yet only the bottom card of each column is face-up. This means you must methodically reveal the 45 hidden cards.
Cards on the tableau are arranged in descending order with alternating colors, following Klondike rules. Valid sequences can be moved as a unit, while empty columns accept only a King or a sequence starting with a King. This turns empty spaces into strategic assets requiring careful planning rather than just simple storage spots.
Batsford also features a special area reserved for three Kings. Only individual Kings may be placed in the reserve, and only the top card can be retrieved at any given time. The reserve serves as a holding spot for Kings that appear before an empty column is available, helping to free up the cards they were previously covering.
The stock contains 49 cards, dealt one by one into the waste pile. Unlike many Solitaire variants, the waste pile is not recycled to form a new stock once depleted. Each card has only one chance to appear, so you must prepare suitable positions before the cards you need are revealed.
The eight foundation piles are built by suit, ascending from Ace to King. The game concludes when all 104 cards have been successfully moved to these eight piles. In Batsford, success depends not only on finding valid moves but also on knowing when to expose cards, when to hold onto Kings, and when to use the stock.
Kings Determine The Game's Outcome
- Don't use the reserve carelessly: You only have three reserve slots for Kings, so save them for situations where they are truly needed.
- Prioritize clearing deep columns: Columns on the right contain more face-down cards and are often worth investing moves in early on.
- Prepare before drawing: The stock cannot be cycled back, so create empty spaces or suitable sequences before key cards appear.
- Hold onto Kings until necessary: A King currently helping to build the tableau may be more valuable than one sitting in the reserve.
- Consider carefully before moving cards to the foundation: Cards in the middle of a sequence may still be needed to connect card groups on the tableau.
- Leverage the two copies: With two decks, you can move one copy to the foundation while the other continues to support the tableau.
- Use "Undo" to check options: Since the stock doesn't cycle, reversing a wrong move can help you find a better strategy.
Controls
- Drag and drop: Move valid cards or sequences.
- Double-click: Move cards from the waste or reserve to the foundation when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Batsford harder than Klondike?
Batsford uses two decks but allows only a single pass through the stock. You have more cards to manage, yet virtually no chance to correct your draw choices.
What is the purpose of the Batsford reserve?
The reserve is a special area for Kings. You can hold up to three Kings there while waiting for a suitable empty tableau column to open up.
What cards can be placed in an empty tableau column?
Only a King—or a sequence starting with a King—can be placed in an empty column.
Can the stock be redealt once it runs out?
No. The 49-card stock is dealt through only once, and the waste pile cannot be turned back into the stock.
Should I move a King to the reserve as soon as I see it?
No. If a King can be used to continue building the tableau, it is usually more beneficial to keep it on the board.
What advantage do two decks provide?
Each card appears twice, giving you more options when building the foundations and the tableau.