If you're a fan of classic solitaire games, Easthaven Solitaire might just become your new favorite. This intriguing variation blends the familiar play of Klondike with a few twists from Spider Solitaire, creating a unique challenge for card game enthusiasts. Easthaven is accessible to everyone – beginners will find it easy to learn, while experienced players will enjoy its strategic depth. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the history and origin of Easthaven, explain the rules and step-by-step gameplay, share tips and tricks to boost your win rate, and highlight some fun trivia. By the end, you'll be ready to test your skills and play Easthaven Solitaire online – and yes, you can even try it for free at SolitaireX.io!
History and Origin of Easthaven Solitaire
Easthaven Solitaire has a fascinating background that dates back nearly a century. The game is known to have appeared as early as the 1930s under the name “Aces Up”. In fact, it was officially introduced under that name in a 1949 collection called The Complete Book of Solitaire & Patience Games, authored by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith. However, because another unrelated solitaire game was also called "Aces Up," the authors renamed this variant to “EastHaven” (now commonly written as Easthaven).
Interestingly, Easthaven is essentially a hybrid of two popular solitaire families. It mixes key elements of Klondike Solitaire (the well-known “classic” solitaire) and Spider Solitaire. From Klondike, it borrows the seven-column tableau layout, the alternating red-black card sequencing, and the goal of building up foundation piles from Ace to King. From Spider, it takes the unique dealing mechanic of adding one card to each tableau column from the stock during play. This blend of styles was quite innovative for its time, and it made Easthaven a distinct and appealing patience game when it first emerged in the mid-20th century.
Over the years, Easthaven has maintained a reputation as an enjoyable but challenging solitaire variant. It’s considered a medium-difficulty game – harder than simple Klondike, but easier than full Spider – with a win rate that varies by skill. In fact, an average player might win roughly 1 in 4 games (~25%), while skilled players can win 40–50% of the time with good strategy. The game became popular enough to spawn a few variations (like Double Easthaven with two decks, and Triple Easthaven with three decks), but the classic one-deck Easthaven remains the most beloved format. Today, thanks to modern websites, Easthaven Solitaire is readily available as one of many free online card games, allowing new generations of players to discover this classic card puzzle.
Rules of Easthaven Solitaire
The rules of Easthaven Solitaire are clear and straightforward, combining familiar solitaire principles with its own twist. Here’s an overview of how the game is set up and how it works:
Objective: Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, building each foundation up in ascending suit sequence from Ace to King. In other words, you win by sorting every card into its proper home by suit (each foundation will go A→2→3…→K of one suit).
Setup (Tableau): The game starts with 7 tableau columns. Each tableau pile is dealt 3 cards: the first two cards face-down and the top card face-up. This creates a starting layout of 21 cards on the table (similar to Klondike's layout but with three cards in each column instead of a graduated deal). The remaining 31 cards form the stock (a draw pile set aside for later).
Foundations: There are 4 foundation piles (initially empty) where you will ultimately move the cards. Each foundation is built up by suit from Ace through King. Whenever an Ace becomes available, it can be moved to a foundation to start it. For example, if you move an Ace of Hearts to an empty foundation, the next card you can place on that foundation would be the 2 of Hearts, then the 3 of Hearts, and so on up to King of Hearts.
Tableau Moves: On the tableau (the seven columns), cards can be stacked in descending order (i.e., a 5 can go on a 6) and must alternate colors (red on black, black on red), just like in Klondike. You can move a single card or even a group of face-up cards together from one column to another, as long as they form a valid descending, alternating sequence. For example, you could move a sequence like [Red 6, Black 5, Red 4] onto a Black 7 in another column (since the top of your sequence is a Red 6, which is one rank lower than Black 7). When you move cards that were covering a face-down card, you then flip that newly uncovered card face-up (making it available for play).
Empty Columns: If you clear a tableau column (i.e. remove all its cards), you create an empty space. Classic Easthaven rules dictate that an empty column can only be filled with a King or a sequence starting with a King. (This is similar to Klondike’s rule where only Kings can fill open slots.) Some easier versions of Easthaven relax this rule and allow any card or sequence to be moved into an empty space, but the original game uses the King-only rule to increase the challenge. Using empty columns wisely is key to success, as they provide crucial maneuvering room.
Stock Deals: The stock pile is what sets Easthaven apart. Whenever you run out of moves you can make on the tableau, you can deal a round of cards from the stock. This means taking the top card from the stock and placing it face-up onto each tableau column, one card per column. Each deal will add 7 new cards to the tableau (one to each pile), potentially uncovering new moves but also possibly “burying” some existing cards deeper. (When the stock gets low on the final deal, it will deal fewer than 7 cards so that all cards are distributed.) Important: In strict play, you are not allowed to deal from the stock if there is an empty tableau column available – first fill that space with a King if you can. The deal mechanism is borrowed from Spider Solitaire and adds a lot of interest to the gameplay. There is no waste pile in Easthaven; cards from the stock go directly into play on the tableau.
Winning the Game: As play continues, you keep transferring cards to the foundations whenever possible and reorganizing the tableau. The game is won when all cards have been moved up to the foundation piles in order. If you exhaust the stock and no further moves are possible while not all cards are on the foundations, then the game is lost. With good strategy (and a bit of luck), you’ll gradually free every card and complete all four suited foundations from Ace to King.
How to Play Easthaven Solitaire (Step-by-Step)
Ready to play? Follow these step-by-step instructions to understand the flow of a typical game of Easthaven Solitaire:
Deal the Initial Layout: Begin by dealing out the tableau. Place seven piles across the table, each with 3 cards (two cards face-down and the third card face-up on top in each pile). Set aside the remaining cards as the stock. If you’re playing on a computer or mobile device, this initial deal happens automatically at the start of the game.
Move Aces to Foundations: Scan the face-up cards in the tableau for any Aces. If you see an Ace, move it to one of the foundation spots immediately (an empty foundation can always accept an Ace as the start of a new suit pile). This creates a goal pile you will build up and also frees space in the tableau for new cards. As you play, whenever a face-up Ace appears, sending it to the foundation is usually the first thing to do.
Build on the Tableau: Look for any moves you can make among the tableau columns. Remember, you can place a card on another column if it is one rank lower and an opposite color to the card you’re placing it on. For example, you can move a black 9 onto a red 10, or a sequence like [♣8, ♥7, ♣6] onto a ♥9. Drag or move cards to build these descending alternating sequences. Each time you move a face-up card that was covering others, flip the next card in that column face-up, giving you access to new cards.
Utilize Empty Spaces: If you manage to clear a column (i.e., move all its cards elsewhere), you've got an empty tableau space. Immediately consider how to use that space. If playing by traditional rules, only a King (or a sequence starting with a King) can be moved into an empty column. So if you have a King available (either face-up in the tableau or freed from the stock in a previous deal), you can place that King into the empty slot, and then you may continue building off that King. Filling an empty column with a King (the highest rank) provides a new base to build on and can help you reveal more cards. (In some online versions or easier modes, you might be allowed to fill an empty column with any card or sequence – but using a King is often still the best move since other cards would prefer to go on higher ones.)
Continue Moving Cards: Keep transferring cards within the tableau and to the foundations whenever possible. Always look for the lowest-ranked cards that can go up to the foundation to free up space (e.g., if a 2 of hearts becomes available and the Ace of hearts is already on the foundation, move that 2 up). Likewise, keep building down on the tableau to uncover hidden cards. The goal is to expose all face-down cards eventually and move every card to its proper place.
Deal from the Stock: When you reach a point where no further moves can be made with the current layout, it’s time to deal from the stock. Click or tap the stock pile (in a physical game, flip the top stock cards) to deal one new card onto each tableau column face-up. This will add 7 new cards (assuming the stock has at least 7 cards remaining) on top of the existing piles, potentially creating new opportunities. Take a moment after the deal to see what new moves are available. Tip: It’s wise not to deal from the stock until you are sure there are no moves left to play – dealing too early can unnecessarily bury good cards under new ones.
Repeat and Finish: Repeat the cycle of moving cards and dealing new rows from the stock as needed. Every time you free an Ace or the next needed card for a foundation, move it up. Use empty columns to reposition Kings or other sequences to your advantage. Eventually, you will either manage to move all cards to the foundations (congratulations, you’ve won!), or you will run out of moves and stock cards, ending the game. Don’t be discouraged by losses; Easthaven, like many solitaire games, has an element of luck and not every deal is winnable. Learn from each game and try again – practice will improve your foresight and strategy.
Strategic Tips and Tricks for Winning Easthaven
Easthaven Solitaire involves both luck and skill. While you can’t control the shuffle, you can control how you play the cards you’re dealt. Here are some strategic tips and tricks to increase your chances of winning:
Don’t Rush the Stock Deal: Always make sure you’ve exhausted all useful moves on the tableau before dealing from the stock pile. If you deal too soon, you might cover up cards that you could have moved, reducing your options. Only hit that deal when you have no other choice.
Prioritize Uncovering Hidden Cards: The faster you flip face-down cards face-up, the better. Each hidden card could be an important card you need. Focus on moves that expose face-down cards to open up your game. For example, if you have a choice between two moves, it’s often wise to choose the move that frees a hidden card from a pile, giving you new information and potential plays.
Move Aces and Low Cards to Foundations Early: Get your Aces to the foundations as soon as they appear, and try to move low-numbered cards (2s, 3s) up whenever possible. Clearing out these low cards from the tableau creates space and also advances you toward the win condition. However, see the next tip about balance.
Build Foundations Evenly: It might be tempting to pile up an entire foundation as quickly as possible, but avoid stranding yourself. Don’t empty your tableau of one color too soon. For instance, if you move a black 8 to the foundation, make sure you won't need that black 8 to place a red 7 in the tableau later. Build all the foundation piles gradually in parallel if you can, so you have enough cards of each color still in play to continue making moves in the tableau.
Use Empty Columns Wisely: An empty tableau column is like a free storage space – a very powerful asset. When you get an empty column, immediately fill it with a King or a king-led sequence if one is available (since nothing else can go on top of a King, putting it in an empty slot is the only way to move a King out of the way). This opens up a new pile where you can organize other sequences. Even in versions that allow any card in an empty space, placing a King there is usually best, as it creates the largest possible descending sequence capacity.
Plan Your Moves Ahead: Try to look a few moves into the future. The obvious move isn’t always the optimal one. Sometimes you might have two possible cards to move, and one move could lead to a dead end while the other opens up more cards. Pause and consider the outcomes: for example, moving that Queen might seem fine, but if holding off allows you to reveal a hidden Jack first, that might be better. In short, think before you move, and whenever possible, choose the move that grants the greatest future benefit or flexibility.
Limit Yourself to a Few Suits (Advanced): This advanced tip comes from experienced players – if you have a choice, try to build your tableau sequences in a way that involves only two suits instead of all four. The idea is that if you concentrate your descending runs in just two suits (e.g., mainly hearts and spades), you might be able to move those entire sequences to the foundations more easily once the other two suits’ foundations are built up. This won't always be possible, but when it works out, it can completely clear some columns for you. It’s a subtle strategy that can sometimes save a game from an otherwise unwinnable position.
Remember, even with perfect play, not every Easthaven deal is winnable. The key is to maximize your odds by playing smart. Over time, you'll start to recognize patterns and develop an intuition for which moves to make. Patience and practice are your best friends in solitaire!
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Easthaven Solitaire
Easthaven may not be as universally known as Klondike, but it has its own interesting legacy and quirks. Here are some fun facts and trivia about the game:
Origins of the Name: As mentioned, Easthaven was originally called "Aces Up" when it was played in the 1930s, but it was renamed to Easthaven in 1949 to avoid confusion with another solitaire game called Aces Up. The new name helped give this game its own identity.
Westcliff Connection: Easthaven actually evolved from a earlier solitaire called Westcliff Patience. The classic Westcliff used a similar layout with 21 cards but did not involve dealing extra rows. The 1949 reintroduction tweaked the rules (adding the Spider-like deal mechanic and the King-only empty pile rule) and rebranded the game as Easthaven. Essentially, Easthaven can be seen as a variant or cousin of Westcliff, made a bit easier by allowing those extra deals of cards.
Hybrid of Two Classics: Easthaven is often described as a blend of Klondike and Spider Solitaire, borrowing the best of both. It uses Klondike’s 7 tableau piles, alternate-color stacking, and foundation-building goal, combined with Spider’s method of dealing one card to each column from the stock. This hybrid nature is what gives Easthaven its unique gameplay flavor.
Variants and Difficulty Levels: There are a few variations of Easthaven. One common variant is the difference between allowing “any card in empty spaces” (an easier mode) versus “only Kings in empty spaces” (the classic, harder mode). The easier rule makes the game significantly more winnable by giving you more flexibility. Beyond that, multi-deck versions like Double Easthaven (using two decks with 8 tableau columns) and Triple Easthaven (three decks, 10 tableau columns) exist for those who want a longer game. These variants maintain the same core rules but increase the number of cards and foundations.
Win Rate and Challenge: Don’t be discouraged if you find Easthaven tough at first. Statistically, the game has a moderate win rate. On average, players win roughly 16–25% of the deals, but with perfect or near-perfect play the win rate can approach 50%. This makes Easthaven more challenging than the very easiest solitaire games, which is part of its appeal – victories feel earned. The element of chance means some games are unsolvable no matter what, but skillful play will let you win a lot more often than pure luck.
Notable Appearances: Easthaven isn’t usually included in standard PC solitaire collections (which often feature Klondike, FreeCell, Spider, etc.), but it is a staple in comprehensive solitaire apps and websites. It appears in solitaire collections like Pretty Good Solitaire and on many online gaming sites. Its enduring presence in these collections speaks to its popularity among solitaire aficionados.
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Try a game of Easthaven Solitaire now on SolitaireX.io and test your strategy skills! Challenge yourself to implement the tips and tricks you've learned, and see if you can beat the odds. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing solo pastime or a way to sharpen your mind with a strategic puzzle, Easthaven Solitaire is a perfect choice. Shuffle up those cards and enjoy – victory might be just a few clever moves away. Good luck and have fun!