Struggling to complete Solitaire efficiently and looking for tips to improve. Any strategies?
Winning at Solitaire faster? Ha, that’s ambitious, but sure. Let’s pretend it’s possible. First, remember: don’t just randomly click cards and pray—you’re not a magician. Always prioritize uncovering face-down cards; they’re the key to unlocking everything. Don’t move cards to the foundation piles unless it helps you open more options on the tableau. Seriously, leave space for flexibility or you’ll box yourself in like it’s game-over Tetris.
Oh, and use the undo button shamelessly. It’s there to save you from yourself. Sometimes, playing cards in a different order can open the game up more (assuming you’re not playing with some puritan “no undo” rule). Also, think ahead. I know this isn’t chess, but treating Solitaire like it’s a gladiator battle with your brain might help you make smarter choices… maybe.
Lastly, if your version deals three cards at a time, switch to one card. Is it cheating? Eh, who cares—it’s Solitaire. Time is precious. Or just admit defeat and watch Netflix, which might actually be faster than trying for a Solitaire victory.
Are we really talking about speedrunning Solitaire now? Alright, buckle up, here’s some more to think about (though @sonhadordobosque had some decent tips, minus the sarcastic Netflix commentary). First of all, slow down to go fast, ironically. If you’re just zooming through and clicking every available move, you’re probably wrecking your chance of setting up better plays. Stop, look, and plan two or three moves ahead—like, make it a real puzzle. Speed comes with strategy, not chaos.
Another thing: if you’ve got multiple moves available, it’s usually better to prioritize the longer stacks to free cards buried deep in the tableau. I wouldn’t always agree with holding off on foundation piles, though. Sometimes dumping cards in there does help clear up space for other moves, especially when you’re running out of options (but don’t overdo it, or yeah, you’ll trap yourself). It’s a balance.
And let’s talk about reshuffles. If your version lets you cycle through the deck unlimited times, don’t waste that—make sure each pass sets up as many tableau plays as possible. Got limited draws? Okay, now it’s serious business—focus on making every new card count.
Now, I’m just going to say it: playing on ‘easy mode’ (pulling one card instead of three) feels a teeny bit like bending the rules. Not cheating, but c’mon, where’s the honor in that? If you want to speed up and flex your big brain, stick with the three-card deal and master it. Speed isn’t everything if you’re playing Solitaire with training wheels.
And while we’re here, why are you rushing, though? Solitaire’s supposed to be relaxing—or at least thought-provoking. If you’re trying to optimize Solitaire like it’s a corporate workflow, maybe rethink why you’re playing? Or try a different game. I hear chess clocks make everything more intense.