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Download on Google Play- Deal 13 cards face-down as the reserve; flip the top card face-up.
- Deal 1 card to start the first foundation; all foundations must start at this rank.
- Deal 4 face-up cards as the tableau.
- Build foundations up by suit, wrapping King to Ace if needed.
- Build tableau columns descending in alternating colors; move groups freely.
- Play the top reserve card whenever possible.
- Draw 3 cards from the stock; play the top one.
- Win by completing all four foundation piles.
- Empty tableau spots auto-fill from the reserve, then from the stock.
Rules
Canfield is a fast-paced solitaire game originally created as a gambling game in a 19th-century casino. Players build foundation piles from a starting card while managing a reserve pile and a small tableau.
Objective
Build four foundation piles, each starting from the initial foundation card and wrapping from King to Ace as needed, building up by suit.
Setup
- Players: 1 player.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Reserve: Deal 13 cards face-down with the top card face-up. This is the reserve pile.
- Foundation: Deal 1 card face-up to start the first foundation. All foundations must start with this rank.
- Tableau: Deal 4 cards face-up in a row.
- Stock: Remaining cards drawn 3 at a time.
Gameplay
- Building Foundations: Build up by suit from the foundation card, wrapping King→Ace if needed.
- Tableau Building: Build descending, alternating colors. Move groups of sequenced cards.
- Reserve: Play the top reserve card whenever possible. The reserve cannot be refilled.
- Stock: Draw 3 cards at a time, playing the top one.
- Empty Tableau Spots: Automatically filled from the reserve (or stock if reserve is empty).
Tips and Strategies
- Emptying the reserve is the key to winning — prioritize playing reserve cards.
- The wrapping mechanic (King→Ace→2) takes getting used to but opens more possibilities.
- Keep track of which foundation ranks you need so you can plan tableau builds accordingly.
Tips & Strategy
The reserve pile is your nemesis and your key to victory. Every reserve card you play brings you closer to winning.
Tableau management is secondary to reserve clearance. If a move does not help clear the reserve (directly or indirectly), question whether it is worth making.
Trivia & Fun Facts
In Canfield's original casino, the house won on average — players needed to play 5+ cards to foundations just to break even at $5 per card against a $52 buy-in.
In Canfield Solitaire, what determines the starting rank for all four foundations?
History & Culture
Canfield was named after Richard A. Canfield, who ran a famous 19th-century gambling house where players paid $52 and earned $5 per card played to foundations.
Canfield has historical significance as one of the few solitaire games originally designed for gambling, connecting patience games to casino culture.
Variations & House Rules
Storehouse starts with deuces on foundations. Rainbow uses Canfield rules but allows any-suit tableau building.
Draw 1 card instead of 3 for a much easier variant. Allow unlimited passes through the stock for more chances.
