Build four runs, King down to Ace in one suit, right in the columns. Any face-up card can move with everything on top of it, but only onto the next card of its own suit.
How to Play Scorpion Solitaire
Scorpion is a one-deck game in which you build each suit in order inside the columns, not on foundation piles. Most cards start face up, so you can plan ahead.
The Objective
Build four runs, each going from King down to Ace in a single suit. A finished run is cleared from the table automatically. Complete all four to win.
The Setup
The game uses one standard 52-card deck. Forty-nine cards are dealt into seven columns of seven. In each of the first four columns, the first three cards are face down and the four on top of them face up; the last three columns are face up all the way through. The other three cards form the stock.
Moving Cards
You can move a face-up card onto the top card of another column (the one not covered by another card) if that top card is the same suit and exactly one rank higher. The 5 of hearts can go on the 6 of hearts, but not on the 6 of spades.
The card you move does not have to be a top card. Every card on top of it goes along, in order or not. If the 9 of clubs is covered by the 2 of diamonds and the Queen of hearts, you can still move all three onto the 10 of clubs.
Face-down cards turn over on their own once uncovered. An empty column can only be filled by a King, along with whatever is on top of it.
The Stock
Click or tap the stock to deal its three cards face up, one onto each of the first three columns. You can deal only once per game, and you will need those three cards to finish.
Scorpion Strategy Tips
- Study the table first. Of the 52 cards, 37 start face up. Find the four Kings and see what lies under each one. A card already sitting on its same-suit partner one rank higher is in place for good.
- Free the hidden cards early. All 12 face-down cards sit at the base of the first four columns. To turn one over, move the face-up card lying directly on them. If that card is the 9 of clubs, your first job is to make the 10 of clubs a top card.
- Work backward from the card you need. Every card except a King has exactly one place to go: the same-suit card one rank higher. If the 6 of spades needs the 7 of spades, and the Jack of diamonds sits directly on the 7, what you really need is to uncover the Queen of diamonds.
- Give an empty column to the right King. A King can only move into an empty column. One at the base of a column is already where it belongs, but one sitting on face-down cards, or on a card you need, blocks everything beneath it. Move that one first.
- Watch for crossed pairs. If the 7 of spades sits directly on the 8 of hearts while the 7 of hearts sits directly on the 8 of spades, neither 7 can ever reach its 8, and the deal cannot be won. If you spot one, start a New Game.
- Choose when to deal. Each stock card will cover the top card of one of the first three columns. If the 9 of hearts is ready to go onto the 10 of hearts at the top of the second column, make that move first. Once all 12 face-down cards are showing, you can even name the stock cards: they are the three you have not seen.
- Use Undo to test a plan. Undo is unlimited, so you can follow a chain of moves and back out if it stalls.
Playing on Solitaire Parlor
Tap or click a card to send it, with everything on top of it, to the best legal spot, or drag and drop it yourself. Tap or click the stock to deal its three cards.
- Undo takes back as many moves as you like, and Hint highlights a useful move.
- Restart replays the same deal. New Game deals a new numbered deal, with the number shown above the table; add ?deal= and that number to the end of the page link to replay or share it.
- Daily Deal gives everyone the same deal each day.
- Stats shows games played and won, win rate, best time, and your current and best win streaks.
- Settings changes the table color and card backs, turns on four-color suits, moves the deck to the right side, switches sounds on or off, and can start a numbered deal.
Your game and stats are saved in your own browser automatically. The game tracks your time and moves; there is no points score.
About Scorpion Solitaire
The Scorpion card game shares ideas with two other games you can play here. Like Spider Solitaire, it has you build King-to-Ace runs in one suit inside the columns. Like Yukon Solitaire, it lets you move any face-up card with everything on top of it, and only a King can fill an empty column.
If you would rather play a one-deck version of Spider itself, try Spiderette.
Scorpion Solitaire FAQ
Is Scorpion Solitaire free to play here?
Yes. It runs in your web browser with no sign-up and nothing to download, and you can play with a mouse or a touchscreen.
How is Scorpion different from Spider Solitaire?
Spider uses two decks and ten columns, and a card can go on any card one rank higher, whatever the suit. Scorpion uses one deck, every move must follow suit, and any face-up card can move with whatever is on top of it. Scorpion also saves empty columns for Kings, while Spider lets any card fill one.
Why won't a card go into an empty column?
Only a King can move into an empty column. Every other card must go onto the same-suit card one rank higher.
Can every game of Scorpion be won?
No. Some deals contain a block that no sequence of moves can undo, such as a crossed pair. Restart lets you replay the same deal with a new plan, and New Game deals a fresh one.