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Download on Google Play- Start with the full deck as stock.
- Leave space for four foundations and four waste piles.
- Flip the top card of the stock.
- Play it to a foundation or place it on one of four waste piles.
- Play waste pile top cards to foundations when they fit.
- Win by placing all 52 cards on the four foundations.
Rules
Sir Tommy, also known as Old Patience, is believed to be one of the oldest solitaire card games in existence. The game is simple: cards are dealt one at a time from the stock and placed either on a foundation or one of four waste piles. Despite its simple rules, winning requires thoughtful waste pile management. It is considered the ancestor of many modern solitaire games.
Objective
Build four foundation piles from Ace to King regardless of suit.
Setup
- Players: 1
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck
- Layout: The entire deck serves as the stock pile. Leave space for four foundation piles and four waste piles, all initially empty.
Gameplay
- Deal: Turn the top card of the stock face up.
- Play to foundation: If the card is the next card needed for any foundation pile (Aces start foundations, then 2, 3, 4... up to King), play it there. Suit does not matter.
- Play to waste: If the card cannot or should not go to a foundation, place it face up on one of the four waste piles. You choose which pile.
- Waste pile restriction: Only the top card of each waste pile is available. You may only play waste pile cards to foundations, not to other waste piles.
- No redeal: Once the stock is exhausted, the game continues with only waste pile top cards playable to foundations.
Scoring
- Win: All 52 cards are placed on the four foundation piles.
- Loss: Stock is exhausted and no waste pile top cards can be placed on foundations.
- Progress: Count total foundation cards as a score.
Variations
- Strategy: An easier variant where waste pile cards can be moved to other waste piles.
- Calculation: Uses the same 4 waste piles but foundations build by different intervals.
- Puss in the Corner: A variant where Aces are placed in corners and Kings are removed from the game.
Tips and Strategies
- Try to keep one waste pile for high cards (10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings) to prevent them from blocking lower cards.
- Spread low cards across different waste piles to avoid burying them.
- Play to foundations immediately when possible to simplify your waste pile management.
- Pay attention to which cards have already appeared to anticipate what is coming from the stock.
Tips & Strategy
Designate one waste pile for high cards to keep them from blocking lower ones. Play to foundations immediately whenever possible. Spread low cards across waste piles to maintain access to them.
With only four waste piles and no ability to move between them, every placement decision is critical. Think of each waste pile as a stack where you must plan what goes on top and what gets buried.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The name Sir Tommy is of uncertain origin, though some sources suggest it may refer to a soldier passing time with cards. The game's simplicity made it one of the first solitaire games learned by many players throughout history.
Why is Sir Tommy historically significant? Answer: It is believed to be one of the oldest solitaire card games and the ancestor of many modern patience games.
History & Culture
Sir Tommy is widely considered one of the oldest solitaire card games, possibly dating back to the 18th century or earlier. It is sometimes called Old Patience and is believed to be the ancestor from which many other solitaire games evolved.
Sir Tommy holds a unique place in card game history as possibly the oldest form of solitaire. It represents the origin point from which the entire genre of single-player card games developed.
Variations & House Rules
Strategy allows waste pile to waste pile moves, making it significantly easier. Puss in the Corner removes Kings from play. Numerica requires foundations to be built strictly from left to right.
Allow 5 waste piles instead of 4 for an easier game. Permit one redeal for a second chance. Allow waste pile to waste pile transfers (Strategy variant) for more flexibility.
