Josephine Solitaire Strategy

Rule 1Examine all ten tableau piles before you make your first move.

When the cards are dealt, you need to immediately notice the following:

• Which Aces are available
• Which 2s and 3s can follow the Aces
• Which cards can be moved onto another card of the same suit
• Which same-suit sequences can be joined together
• Which tableau pile contains the fewest cards that still need to be moved
• Which moves will uncover low cards
• Which moves will help you create an empty tableau pile
• Whether the same rank and suit appears in both decks
• Which cards should remain in the tableau to support longer sequences

It sounds like a lot, but it is really not that hard with just a little practice.

Example

• Pile A: Q♣-7♦-4♠-A♥
• Pile B: 10♠-8♣-3♥-2♥
• Pile C: K♦-9♠-8♠-7♠

The Ace of hearts should be moved to a foundation first. The 2 of hearts will then become available in Pile B and can be moved onto the Ace. The 8-7 sequence of spades in Pile C should remain together unless moving it uncovers a more important card.

Rule 2Move available Aces to the foundations as soon as possible.

The eight foundation piles must begin with Aces. Until an Ace is moved to a foundation, the 2, 3, 4 and every higher card of that suit are blocked from reaching that foundation.

Example

• Pile A: 9♣-5♦-A♠
• Pile B: Q♥-6♣-2♠

Move the Ace of spades from Pile A to an empty foundation. The 2 of spades in Pile B can then be moved to the same foundation when it becomes available.

Leaving the Ace in the tableau normally has no benefit. Moving it immediately creates the foundation and removes one card from the tableau.

Rule 3Give priority to moves that uncover low cards.

Since the foundations are built from Ace to King, low cards are usually more important during the opening stages of the game. Uncovering a 2 or 3 will often create several additional moves.

Example

• Pile A: J♦-6♣-3♥-9♠
• Pile B: 10♠-9♠
• Pile C: 4♥

Move the 9 of spades from Pile A onto the 10-9 sequence in Pile B only if the move is legal within the displayed arrangement. If moving the available spade uncovers the 3 of hearts, the 3 may soon be moved to a heart foundation.

A move that uncovers a low card is normally stronger than a move that only creates a longer sequence without exposing anything useful.

Rule 4Build same-suit sequences whenever they improve the position.

Cards in the tableau must be built downward in the same suit. Unlike Forty Thieves, Josephine Solitaire allows a correctly arranged sequence to be moved as one group.

Example

• Pile A: Q♣
• Pile B: J♣-10♣-9♣

Move the complete J-10-9 sequence of clubs onto the Queen of clubs. After the move, Pile A holds Q♣-J♣-10♣-9♣ and Pile B is empty.

This move is especially strong because it creates a four-card sequence and clears a tableau pile at the same time. However, do not build sequences only because the move is available. First check what will be uncovered and whether the new sequence can be moved again later.

Rule 5Try to create an empty tableau pile as early as possible.

An empty tableau pile is one of the most valuable advantages in Josephine Solitaire. Any available card or legal same-suit sequence can be moved into an empty space.

Example

• Pile A: K♥-Q♥
• Pile B: Q♣-J♣-10♣
• Pile C: 8♦

If Pile C can be cleared, the Q-J-10 sequence of clubs can be moved into the empty space. This may uncover another useful card and give you more ways to rearrange the tableau.

Without an empty pile, every tableau move requires a card of the same suit and exactly one rank higher. With an empty pile, you can temporarily place any available card or sequence there.

Rule 6Do not fill an empty tableau pile without a reason.

Players often work hard to create an empty pile and then immediately fill it with the first card they cannot play. This is a mistake.

Before filling an empty pile, ask whether the move will do one of the following:

• Uncover an Ace or another low foundation card
• Empty a second tableau pile
• Save an important card from being buried in the waste pile
• Join two same-suit sequences
• Create a longer sequence that can be moved again
• Allow several cards to reach the foundations

Example

• Empty Pile: Empty
• Pile A: K♦
• Pile B: 8♣-7♣-6♣
• Pile C: 5♣

You can move the King of diamonds into the empty pile, but this does not create another move. Moving the 8-7-6 sequence into the empty pile may be better if it allows the 5 of clubs to join the sequence or uncovers an important card in Pile B.

An empty tableau pile should be treated as a temporary working space, not as a place to store a random card.

Rule 7Make all useful tableau moves before turning over another stock card.

Josephine Solitaire allows only one pass through the stock. Once a stock card is covered in the waste pile, you may not be able to reach it again.

Before turning over the next stock card, check the tableau and foundations one more time. A newly uncovered card may create a move that was not available a moment earlier.

Example

• Foundation: A♦-2♦-3♦
• Tableau Pile A: 5♦-4♦
• Waste: 6♦

Move the 4 of diamonds to the foundation. Then move the 5 of diamonds to the foundation. The 6 of diamonds from the waste pile can now be moved to the foundation.

If you turn over another stock card before making these moves, the 6 of diamonds will be covered and may be lost for the rest of the game.

Rule 8Play useful waste cards immediately whenever possible.

The waste pile is dangerous because only its top card is available. If a useful card can be moved from the waste to a foundation or tableau pile, you should normally play it before turning over the next stock card.

Example

• Tableau Pile A: 10♥
• Waste: 9♥

Move the 9 of hearts from the waste onto the 10 of hearts. This removes the card from the waste and keeps it available in the tableau. It may also allow an 8 of hearts to be played later.

However, do not place a waste card into an empty tableau pile only because it has nowhere else to go. Make sure the card will help you build a sequence or protect another important card in the stock.

Rule 9Keep the foundation piles reasonably balanced.

There are eight foundations, with two foundations for each suit. Building one foundation too quickly can remove cards that are still needed as supports in the tableau.

Example

• Foundation One: A♠-2♠-3♠-4♠-5♠
• Foundation Two: A♠
• Tableau Pile A: 7♠-6♠
• Tableau Pile B: 5♠-4♠

Moving every available spade to Foundation One may look attractive. However, the 5 and 4 of spades in the tableau may be useful for joining the 7-6 sequence and clearing another pile.

You should always move Aces and usually move 2s. With higher cards, consider whether the card is more valuable on the foundation or as part of a tableau sequence.

Rule 10Do not break a useful sequence unless the move improves your position.

A long same-suit sequence is powerful because it can be moved as one group. Separating cards from that sequence without a clear purpose may reduce your options.

Example

• Pile A: K♣-Q♣-J♣-10♣-9♣
• Pile B: 10♦
• Pile C: Empty

The Q-J-10-9 sequence of clubs can be moved into the empty pile, but this leaves the King of clubs alone. Unless the move uncovers an important card, helps empty another pile or allows the King to be moved, there may be no reason to divide the sequence.

Keep complete same-suit sequences together when possible. Break them only when doing so creates a stronger move.

Rule 11Use duplicate cards to decide which sequence to build.

Josephine Solitaire uses two decks, so every card appears twice. When two copies of the same card are available, examine the cards beneath them before deciding which copy to move.

Example

• Pile A: 8♥-7♥
• Pile B: K♣-7♥
• Pile C: 6♥-5♥

Both Pile A and Pile B contain a 7 of hearts. Moving the 6-5 sequence onto the 7 in Pile B may uncover the King of clubs. Moving it onto the 7 in Pile A may only create a longer heart sequence.

The correct choice depends on which covered card will improve the position. Duplicate cards give you options, but only if you compare both piles before moving.

Rule 12Avoid covering a card in the waste pile that you will need soon.

Since there is no redeal, a covered waste card may be unavailable for the remainder of the game.

Example

• Foundation: A♣-2♣-3♣
• Waste: 5♣
• Tableau: 4♣

Move the 4 of clubs to the foundation. Then move the 5 of clubs from the waste to the foundation.

If you turn over another stock card first, the 5 of clubs will be covered. Even if the 4 is moved later, you may not be able to recover the 5.

Rule 13When a waste card cannot be played, look for a move that will create a place for it.

Example

• Waste: 8♦
• Tableau Pile A: 10♦
• Tableau Pile B: 9♦-8♠
• Tableau Pile C: Empty

The 8 of diamonds cannot be placed directly on the 10 of diamonds. First, see whether the 9 of diamonds can be uncovered or moved. If the 9 of diamonds becomes available, move it onto the 10 of diamonds and then move the 8 of diamonds from the waste onto the 9.

Do not turn over the next stock card until you have checked every possible way to play the current waste card.

Rule 14Use an empty pile to rearrange sequences and expose important cards.

Example

• Pile A: Q♠-J♠-10♠
• Pile B: 9♠-8♠
• Pile C: Empty

Move the 9-8 sequence of spades into the empty pile. If necessary, move another sequence to expose the bottom of Pile A. When the correct move becomes available, join the sequences into Q♠-J♠-10♠-9♠-8♠.

Using the empty pile temporarily can help you join cards that could not be combined in their original positions.

Rule 15Before making a foundation move, check whether the card supports another tableau card.

Example

• Foundation: A♥-2♥-3♥-4♥-5♥
• Pile A: 7♥
• Pile B: 6♥-5♣

The 6 of hearts can be moved to the foundation, but it may be more useful underneath the 7 of hearts. Moving it onto the 7 may help move another card, uncover the 5 of clubs or clear Pile B.

Foundation moves are permanent. Once the 6 of hearts is placed on the foundation, it normally cannot return to the tableau.

Rule 16Plan several moves ahead when you have an empty pile.

Example

• Pile A: J♦-10♦-9♦
• Pile B: 8♦-7♦
• Pile C: 6♦
• Pile D: Empty

A weak player may move the 6 of diamonds into the empty pile and stop. A stronger plan is the following:

1. Move the 8-7 sequence into the empty pile.
2. Move the 6 of diamonds onto the 7 of diamonds.
3. Move the complete 8-7-6 sequence onto the 9 of diamonds.
4. Continue the combined sequence under the 10 and Jack of diamonds.

The result is J♦-10♦-9♦-8♦-7♦-6♦. One empty pile can create several moves when the order is planned correctly.

Rule 17When two moves are available, choose the move that uncovers the more useful card.

Example

• Pile A: 9♣-8♣-A♦
• Pile B: 9♥-8♥-K♠
• Pile C: 10♣
• Pile D: 10♥

You can move the 8 of clubs onto the 9 of clubs arrangement available under the 10 of clubs, or move the 8 of hearts into the heart sequence.

The club move uncovers the Ace of diamonds. The heart move uncovers the King of spades. The club move is usually stronger because the Ace can immediately begin a new foundation.

Rule 18Do not give up simply because the opening tableau looks poor.

A poor starting layout may improve quickly after several stock cards are played. The important point is to preserve empty spaces, protect useful waste cards and avoid moves that permanently block the tableau.

Josephine Solitaire contains a large amount of luck, but poor decisions can turn a playable deal into a loss. Examine the tableau, build same-suit sequences, uncover the low cards, create empty piles and treat every stock card as if you will only see it once. Because you will.