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Download on Google Play- Deal all 52 cards face-down into 13 piles of 4.
- Arrange 12 piles in a clock face pattern with 1 pile in the center.
- Flip the top card of the center pile to start.
- Place each revealed card face-up under its matching clock position (Ace=1, Queen=12, King=center).
- Flip the top face-down card from the pile you just placed a card on.
- Win by completing all 12 clock positions before the fourth King appears.
- No point scoring; the game is win or lose.
Rules
Clock Patience is a solitaire game where cards are dealt into 12 piles arranged like a clock face, plus one center pile. Cards are moved to their corresponding clock positions, and you win only if all 13 piles complete before the fourth King is revealed.
Objective
Place all cards in their correct clock positions before all four Kings are uncovered.
Setup
- Players: 1 player.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Layout: Deal all 52 cards face-down into 13 piles of 4, arranged like a clock: 12 piles at each hour position and 1 pile in the center (the King position).
Gameplay
- Start: Turn over the top card of the center pile.
- Placement: Place the revealed card face-up under its corresponding clock position (Ace=1 o'clock, 2=2 o'clock... Queen=12 o'clock, King=center).
- Continue: Turn over the top face-down card from the pile where you just placed a card.
- Kings: Kings go to the center pile. If the fourth King is turned before all other piles are complete, you lose.
Winning
Win by completing all 12 clock positions with their four matching cards before running out of moves (fourth King).
Tips and Strategies
- This is entirely a game of chance — no decisions are made during play.
- The win rate is approximately 1 in 100 games, making victories feel special.
- Enjoy the meditative, automatic nature of the game.
Tips & Strategy
Since no choices are involved, Clock Patience is a relaxing game of pure chance. Shuffle well for the best experience.
There is no strategy — outcomes are determined entirely by the initial shuffle. It is the purest luck-based solitaire game.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Despite requiring zero skill, Clock Patience has been mathematically analyzed — the exact probability of winning is approximately 1/13.
In Clock Patience, which card rank goes to the center of the clock?
History & Culture
Clock Patience has been played since at least the 19th century and remains popular as a quick, meditative solo game.
Clock Patience remains popular worldwide as a quick, no-decision solitaire that is easy to teach children.
Variations & House Rules
Watch Clock adds a planning element by allowing face-up dealing. Some variants let you peek at cards before committing.
For better odds, remove one King before dealing, guaranteeing more playable turns.
