How does the beak work in Penguin Solitaire?
Beak (Penguin Solitaire)
The first dealt card whose rank sets the foundation starting point and controls which card can start an empty tableau column.
1) The beak sets the foundation starting rank
All four foundations begin on the beak rank. If the beak is 7, each foundation must start with the 7 of its suit, then build upward by suit:
- 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → J → Q → K → A → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6
This wrap-around is why Penguin feels different from Ace-start foundation games.
2) The beak controls empty columns
In Penguin, you cannot put any card into an empty tableau column. Only the rank directly below the beak may start an empty column.
- If the beak is 7, only 6s can start an empty column.
- If the beak is Ace, only Kings can start an empty column.
Why this rule matters
- Empty columns are rare resources: you might only have a few legal starters available.
- Protect the beak-minus-one cards: if you bury them, you lose your best reshuffling tool.