Calculation Solitaire - Play Online Free
Calculation is a unique solitaire game where four foundations build with different counting intervals. The first builds by 1s (A,2,3...), the second by 2s (2,4,6...), the third by 3s (3,6,9...), and the fourth by 4s (4,8,Q...). With 4 waste piles for temporary storage, it rewards mathematical thinking and careful planning.
How to Play Calculation
Setup
Remove A, 2, 3, and 4 (one of each) to start the 4 foundations. The remaining 48 cards form the stock. Four empty waste piles are available for temporary storage.
Rules
- Foundation 1 (starts with A): builds by 1s — A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K.
- Foundation 2 (starts with 2): builds by 2s — 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q, A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K.
- Foundation 3 (starts with 3): builds by 3s — 3, 6, 9, Q, 2, 5, 8, J, A, 4, 7, 10, K.
- Foundation 4 (starts with 4): builds by 4s — 4, 8, Q, 3, 7, J, 2, 6, 10, A, 5, 9, K.
- Turn one stock card at a time — play it to a foundation or a waste pile.
- Only the top card of each waste pile is available for play.
- Suit does not matter — only rank counts.
Strategy Tips
- Memorize the four building sequences — they are the key to the game.
- Use waste piles strategically — try to keep cards in each pile in reverse order of when you will need them.
- Never bury a card you will need soon under cards you will need later.
- The fourth waste pile can serve as a "junk" pile for cards with no immediate use.
- Calculation is nearly 100% skill — most deals are winnable with perfect play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Calculation?
The game requires calculating which foundation each card belongs to based on mathematical sequences (counting by 1s, 2s, 3s, and 4s). Mental arithmetic is essential for success.
Is Calculation mostly skill or luck?
Calculation is one of the most skill-based solitaire games. With perfect play, approximately 85-95% of deals are solvable. The main skill is managing the waste piles efficiently.
What happens when ranks wrap around?
All sequences wrap around from King back to Ace. For example, in the "by 3s" sequence: ...10, K, 3, 6... The sequence continues cyclically through all 13 ranks, always ending at King.