Canfield Solitaire
Canfield is a classic single-player solitaire game with a 13-card reserve and foundations that start from a random base rank. Build each foundation upward by suit, wrapping from king to ace when needed.
How to Play
Deal through the stock three cards at a time. Move the top waste card, top reserve card, or tableau top cards to foundations or tableau piles. Tableau piles build down by alternating color and wrap from ace to king.
Board Layout
The stock and waste sit together because they control the flow of new cards. The four foundations sit above the four tableau piles, and the 13-card reserve is stacked vertically under the waste. Only the top reserve card is playable, so the stack helps you see how much pressure is left in the deal.
The Reserve Pile
The reserve is the heart of Canfield. Empty tableau spaces refill automatically from the reserve while cards remain there. That means clearing a tableau card is often valuable even when the immediate move looks small, because it exposes the next reserve card and brings you closer to controlling the board.
Foundations and Base Rank
Canfield foundations do not always start with aces. The first card dealt sets the base rank for every foundation. If the base is 8, each foundation begins with an 8 of its suit, then builds 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2, and so on until the suit is complete.
Useful Strategy
Prioritize foundation moves when they free a reserve or tableau card, but avoid sending a card up too early if it blocks a useful tableau build. Tableau piles are temporary workspaces, so use alternating-color descents to uncover reserve cards and create empty spaces. When no useful move is visible, deal the stock and watch the waste for cards that fit either a foundation or a tableau pile.
Canfield Solitaire Tips
Try to reduce the reserve before cycling too deeply through the stock. A smaller reserve gives you more control over empty tableau spaces. If a card can move from the reserve or waste to a foundation, check whether that move also unlocks a stronger tableau move before committing.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is treating Canfield like Klondike. In Canfield, the base rank changes every game and tableau piles can wrap from ace down to king. Another common mistake is ignoring the reserve; if the reserve stays full, empty tableau spaces will keep refilling and your options stay narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a vertical stack under the waste?
That is the 13-card reserve. It is shown vertically so you can see how many reserve cards remain, but only the top card can be moved.
Can tableau builds wrap?
Yes. Tableau cards build down by alternating color and can wrap from ace to king.
How do you win?
Move all 52 cards to the four foundations, building each suit upward from the base rank.
Goal
Win by moving all 52 cards to the foundations. Empty tableau spaces refill automatically from the reserve while reserve cards remain.
Related Solitaire Games
If you like Canfield's reserve pressure, try Calculation Solitaire for another planning-heavy patience game, or switch to Klondike Solitaire Turn 3 for a tougher stock-cycle challenge.