What is Alternating Colors in Solitaire?
Alternating Colors
A stacking rule requiring cards in the tableau to alternate between red (Hearts ♥, Diamonds ♦) and black (Spades ♠, Clubs ♣). Each card placed must be the opposite color of the card below it.
How It Works
- Red suits: Hearts ♥ and Diamonds ♦
- Black suits: Spades ♠ and Clubs ♣
- A red card goes on a black card
- A black card goes on a red card
- Cards must also be in descending order (K, Q, J, 10, 9...)
Example Sequence
Black King → Red Queen → Black Jack → Red 10 → Black 9 → Red 8...
Specifically: K♠ → Q♥ → J♣ → 10♦ → 9♠ → 8♥
Why Alternating Colors?
This rule creates the strategic challenge of Solitaire:
- You need both colors to build sequences
- Getting "stuck" with all one color is a losing position
- Forces you to plan moves carefully
Variants Without Alternating Colors
Some Solitaire games use stricter same-suit rules instead:
- Russian Solitaire: Must match exact suit (all Hearts, all Spades, etc.)
- Yukon Solitaire: Uses alternating colors (same as Klondike)
- Alaska Solitaire: Same suit, but can build up OR down