Above and Below Solitaire
Above and Below Solitaire
Above and Below Solitaire is a sophisticated card game that utilizes two full decks, offering a deeper strategic layer than standard single-deck variants. The game begins with a single card dealt face up to serve as the indicator, which dictates the starting point for all eight foundation piles. Four of these foundations must be built upward in suit, starting from one rank above the indicator and wrapping from Ace to King. The remaining four foundations are built downward in suit, starting from one rank below the indicator and wrapping from King to Ace. This dual-direction requirement demands constant attention to the available cards in the waste and tableau piles.
Managing the tableau is the most common area where players encounter difficulties. There are four tableau piles where cards can be built both up and down in suit. However, you are restricted to moving only one card at a time from these piles. A frequent mistake is burying a necessary card under a long sequence in the tableau, effectively locking it away until the cards above it can be moved to the foundations. Because the game allows you to move cards between foundation piles, you have a small margin for error, but success largely depends on how efficiently you cycle through the stock and waste piles.
Strategy involves more than just matching suits; it requires calculating which foundation pile needs a specific card more urgently. When the indicator rank appears in the waste pile, it can be moved directly to the indicator pile, clearing space and helping you track your progress. Once the stock is exhausted, you are permitted one redeal, where the waste pile is flipped to become the new stock. This second pass is often the deciding factor in whether you can clear the board or if the sequence becomes blocked.
Your final standing is determined by the total number of cards successfully moved to the foundations. Higher ranks are awarded to those who can navigate the complexities of the two-deck system and the restrictive tableau rules. Every move should be considered carefully, as a single misplaced card in the tableau can prevent you from accessing the foundations later in the session. This version of solitaire is designed for those who appreciate a methodical, high-difficulty puzzle that rewards patience and suit-based sequencing.
Play Above and Below Solitaire online for free — no download or installation required. This Puzzle game runs instantly in your browser on desktop, mobile, and tablet.
Features
- Dual-deck solitaire mechanics
- Eight foundation pile objectives
- Tableau building in both directions
- Single-pass stock redeal option
How to Play
To begin Above and Below Solitaire, observe the indicator card dealt at the center. This card determines the starting point for your eight foundation piles. Four piles must be built upward in suit, starting with the rank immediately above the indicator. For example, if the indicator is a 6, these piles start at 7 and go up to King, then wrap to Ace and continue to 5. The other four piles build downward, starting with the rank immediately below the indicator, wrapping from Ace to King as needed.
Interact with the stock pile to deal cards one by one into the waste pile. You can move the top card of the waste pile to the foundations or to one of the four tableau piles. In the tableau, you can build sequences both up and down in suit. However, you are only permitted to move one card at a time from the tableau, so be careful not to trap useful cards under long sequences. If a card matching the indicator's rank appears in the waste, move it to the indicator pile to clear space.
If you get stuck, remember that you can move cards between foundation piles to help reorganize your sequences. Once the stock is empty, you can flip the waste pile to go through the deck one more time. Your goal is to move as many cards as possible to the foundations to achieve the highest possible rank before you run out of moves.
Controls
Tips & Tricks
- Prioritize moving cards to foundations over the tableau to keep your options open
- Use the foundation-to-foundation move to free up cards for the tableau
- Avoid building long sequences in the tableau unless you have a clear path to the foundations
- Watch for the indicator rank in the waste pile to move it immediately to the indicator pile
Provider
Strategy enthusiasts will find a rewarding challenge in this GameMonetize title that tests your ability to manage eight foundation piles simultaneously.
More Puzzle Games
If you enjoy Above and Below Solitaire, check out Blocks , Arrow Escape: Puzzle and Color by Numbers. Anti-stress Drawings. .