Deal – —
Lady Jane Solitaire
At first glance, Lady Jane Solitaire appears more open than many other solitaire games: all 55 cards on the tableau are face-up, and neither suit nor color restricts how you stack them. However, with only two passes through the stock allowed, every decision to draw three cards requires careful consideration.
Gameplay – An Open Tableau, Yet Every Move Counts
Lady Jane Solitaire uses two standard decks totaling 104 cards, distributed across 10 tableau columns, a stock pile, a waste pile, and 8 foundation piles. From the start, the 55 cards on the tableau are face-up, making it easy to survey the board and devise a strategy.
On the tableau, you arrange cards in descending order, disregarding suit and color. Sequences of cards can be moved as a unit, while empty columns can be utilized to reorganize the layout and free up trapped cards.
The rules shift at the foundations: the 8 target piles require cards to be stacked from Ace to King by suit. This phase demands a balance between clearing paths on the tableau and moving cards to their final destinations.
The stock contains 49 cards; each draw moves three cards to the waste pile, though only the top card is playable. You have only two passes through the stock, so every draw must be calculated carefully. Once the stock is exhausted, the waste pile is collected for the second pass; there is no third pass.
With flexible stacking rules but limited draws, Lady Jane Solitaire combines observation, planning, and careful move management to complete all eight foundation piles.
High-Value Moves
- Don't build sequences just because you can: while long sequences are convenient to move, they might trap cards that are essential for the foundations. Keep a column open: An empty column makes it easier to break up sequences and access cards buried underneath when needed.
- Don't rush to fill empty spaces: Empty slots have strategic value, as they can be used to temporarily hold cards that are difficult to manage.
- Check the foundation piles before moving: Prioritize moves that free up cards needed for the foundation piles.
- Plan ahead for the second stock pass: Before reusing the waste pile, identify the missing cards and determine how to move them into playable positions.
- Make use of Undo: Since the undo function is unlimited, you can test a move, observe the outcome, and adjust your strategy instead of risking the entire game.
Controls
- Drag and drop: Move a card or a valid sequence of cards.
- Double-click/Double-tap: Move a card to the foundation if conditions are met.
- New Deal: Start a new game.
- Undo: Reverse the last move.
- Redo: Re-apply the last undone move.
- Hint: Get a suggestion when stuck.
- Auto Finish: Automatically move remaining cards to the foundation when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are used in Lady Jane Solitaire?
The game uses 104 cards, consisting of two standard decks.
Does the suit matter when arranging cards on the tableau?
No. The tableau only requires the next card to be exactly one rank lower, regardless of color or suit.
Why is the stock difficult to manage?
Three cards are drawn at a time, but only the top card of the waste pile can be used.
Can any card be placed in an empty column?
Yes. Unlike some other solitaire variants, Lady Jane allows you to place any card or valid sequence of cards into an empty column.
When do you win a game of Lady Jane?
You win when all 104 cards have been moved to the 8 foundation piles, with each pile built up from Ace to King by suit.