Gaps (Montana) - Play Online Free
Gaps, also known as Montana, is a unique solitaire where all 52 cards are dealt face-up in a 4x13 grid. The four Aces are removed, creating gaps. You fill gaps by sliding in the card that is the same suit and one rank higher than the card to the left of the gap. The goal is to arrange each row as a complete suit sequence from 2 to King.
How to Play Gaps
Setup
Deal all 52 cards face-up in 4 rows of 13. Remove the 4 Aces, creating 4 gaps (empty spaces).
Rules
- Fill a gap with the card that is the same suit and one rank higher than the card to its left.
- A gap in the leftmost position can be filled with any 2.
- A gap to the right of a King cannot be filled (Kings end sequences).
- Win when each row contains a complete same-suit sequence from 2 to King.
- Some versions allow redeals where non-sequenced cards are reshuffled.
Strategy Tips
- Start by moving 2s to the leftmost positions to begin building sequences.
- Plan several moves ahead — each gap move creates a new gap elsewhere.
- Avoid creating gaps to the right of Kings — these are dead ends.
- Try to build one complete row at a time rather than working on all four.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Gaps also called Montana?
The game goes by several names including Gaps, Montana, and Blue Moon. The names reflect different regional traditions for the same core game mechanic.
What is the win rate for Gaps?
Without redeals, only about 5-10% of deals are solvable. With redeals allowed, the win rate increases significantly to around 30-40%.
How is Gaps different from other solitaire games?
Gaps is unique because cards are not stacked — they are arranged in a flat grid. Instead of building sequences on top of each other, you slide cards into empty spaces. It is more of a sliding puzzle than a traditional card game.