Harp Solitaire is a challenging two-deck solitaire card game – essentially a tougher twist on the classic Klondike Solitaire that many know and love. It uses 104 cards (two standard decks) and features a larger layout with more piles, offering a greater challenge than the one-deck version. In fact, Harp Solitaire can be seen as a variant of “Double Klondike” (two-deck Klondike) with limited stock passes (usually only 3 re-deals, i.e. 4 total passes through the deck). This makes it one of the more difficult online solitaire games – perfect for players seeking a strategic, engaging solo card experience beyond the basics. In this article, we’ll explore what Harp Solitaire is, a bit of its history, the rules and how to play Harp Solitaire step by step, plus some handy tips, tricks, and interesting facts. By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle this game – and you can even try it out online at SolitaireX.io for free anytime!
What Is Harp Solitaire?
Harp Solitaire is a two-deck solitaire (or “patience”) card game that builds on the classic Klondike rules but ups the difficulty. The game’s name evokes the idea of a harp, perhaps because the layout of cards fan out broadly (imagine the tableau piles as the harp’s strings). It’s known as a challenging Klondike variant – you have more cards to arrange and stricter move limitations, making it a true test of strategy and patience. Unlike standard Klondike (which uses one deck and seven columns), Harp Solitaire uses two decks and has nine tableau columns, creating a larger initial spread of cards and more possibilities to consider. The objective, however, remains familiar: you must build up foundation piles from Ace through King in each suit, eventually moving all cards to these foundations to win.
One key aspect that defines Harp Solitaire is its limited redeals. After the initial deal, the remaining cards form a stock pile that you can draw from. In Harp, you typically flip one card at a time from the stock (like Klondike Turn-1 style) and you are allowed only three re-deals of the stock when you run out of draws. In other words, you can pass through the deck up to 4 times in total (initial pass + 3 re-deals) – adding pressure to use those passes wisely. This is fewer than some easier two-deck games, so managing the stock is critical. Also, moving cards around the tableau has an extra restriction: only one card can be moved at a time (you generally cannot pick up and drag a whole sequence of face-up cards in one go, except in a special case we’ll mention shortly). These rules make Harp Solitaire more challenging than many other solitaire games. Don’t let that scare you off, though – the game is very rewarding once you get the hang of it, and every win feels well-earned given the difficulty! Plus, modern online versions (like the one on SolitaireX) offer helpful features like hints, undos, and even an auto-play for obvious moves to ease the learning curve, so anyone can enjoy this game.
A Brief History of Harp Solitaire
Harp Solitaire may not date back as far as classic Klondike, but it has an interesting mid-20th century origin. The game was first introduced by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, two prolific authors and inventors of card games (particularly patience games). They created Harp as a tougher puzzle for solitaire enthusiasts who wanted more of a challenge than the standard game provided. In fact, in some early collections, this game was actually published under a different name – “Gargantua” – an apt moniker meaning “giant,” highlighting the use of two decks and the extra difficulty. The original rules for Harp (or Gargantua) were even more unforgiving than most modern implementations: initially, only one trip through the stock was allowed (just a single redeal) and you could only move one card at a time with no exceptions. This made it a true beast to win – a real feat of skill and luck.
Over time, Harp Solitaire gained popularity among serious solitaire players, and a few variants of the game emerged to cater to different skill levels. For those who loved the concept but wanted a less punishing experience, an “Easy Harp” (also known as “Endless Harp”) variant was developed, using the same layout and rules except allowing unlimited redeals of the stock. By permitting infinite passes through the deck, Easy Harp significantly increases your chances of eventually winning, making the game more about patience than planning. On the other end of the spectrum, an even bigger version called “Triple Harp” was invented by Thomas Warfield (a well-known solitaire game designer). Triple Harp uses three decks (!), with 12 foundation piles and 13 tableau columns – essentially supersizing the Harp Solitaire concept for an epic challenge. Other offshoots like “Big Harp” and “Harp Rush” have also been mentioned in solitaire circles, each tweaking certain rules (such as number of redeals or move allowances) to mix up the difficulty and gameplay.
Today, Harp Solitaire remains a beloved choice for players who have mastered more common solitaire games and are looking for something new to conquer. Its inclusion in modern solitaire collections and on popular online solitaire platforms (like SolitaireX.io) speaks to its enduring appeal. When you play Harp, you’re participating in a tradition of Solitaire that goes back decades – a “symphonic” puzzle built on two decks where every move counts. And if you ever come across the name Gargantua in a solitaire context, you’ll know that’s Harp by another name – a fun bit of trivia to impress fellow card game fans!
Harp Solitaire Rules & How to Play (Step by Step)
If you’re ready to try your hand at Harp Solitaire, it helps to understand the setup and rules clearly. This game follows most of the standard Klondike (Solitaire) rules, with a few twists due to the two-deck setup and added restrictions. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Harp Solitaire:
Setup & Objective: Begin with two well-shuffled decks (104 cards total). Deal out the tableau into 9 columns: the 1st column gets 1 card, the 2nd gets 2 cards, continuing in this way until the 9th column has 9 cards. Only the top card of each column is face-up, and all cards beneath are face-down. This leaves you with 104 – 45 = 59 cards undealt, which become the stock (draw pile) set aside. You will also have 8 foundation piles at the top, which start empty. The objective is to move all cards to these foundation piles, building each up in ascending order from Ace to King by suit (since there are 8 foundations for 4 suits × 2 decks). You win when all 104 cards are on the foundations in the correct order!
Building on the Tableau: In the tableau (the 9 columns of cards), you build cards downward in alternating colors, much like classic Klondike. This means you can place a red-suited card on a black-suited card (or vice versa) as long as its rank is one lower. For example, you could move a red 6 onto a black 7, or a black Queen onto a red King. Only the top (face-up) card of each tableau column is available to move at any time. When you move a card that has face-down cards beneath it, you get to flip the next card in that column face-up, making it available for play. The tableau is where most of the maneuvering happens as you try to uncover hidden cards and eventually send them to the foundations.
Moving Cards & Empty Columns: A special rule in Harp Solitaire is that you may only move one card at a time in the tableau. Unlike some solitaire games where you can drag a whole sequence of cards to another column if they’re in order, here you’re generally restricted to moving single cards. Exception: If a tableau column becomes empty (all its cards have been moved away), you may fill that space only with a King. In fact, you can move a group of cards only if they are headed by a King and you’re moving that entire sequence into an empty column. This means that an empty spot can be filled by either a single King or a properly ordered descending sequence starting with a King. No other cards can be placed into an empty column. This rule adds to the challenge – you can’t freely relocate long sequences at will, so you often need to plan several moves ahead or use intermediate moves to reposition cards. Always try to free up Kings and open a space for them when possible; creating an empty column (and having a King to put there) is crucial for maneuverability.
Using the Stock & Waste Pile: After setting up the tableau, the remaining cards form the stock. You’ll use this to get new cards into play. In Harp Solitaire, you draw one card at a time from the stock onto a waste pile (also called the talon) by clicking or flipping the stock. The top card of the waste is always available to play. You can move the waste card to a foundation (if it fits in ascending order by suit) or to the tableau (if it can be placed on a suitable card by alternate color descending order). Work through the stock whenever you run out of moves in the tableau. Limited Redeals: You are allowed to go through the stock a limited number of times – typically, three re-deals are permitted in Harp Solitaire. This means once you reach the end of the stock, you can gather all waste cards (leave them face-down to reform the stock) and start flipping through again, up to three extra times. In total, that’s 4 passes through the deck (the initial pass plus three re-deals). Use these stock passes wisely; part of the strategy is making the most of each pass by playing any available card you flip, because you won’t get endless cycles through the deck. (Some versions of the game or easier variants may allow more redeals, but the classic Harp rule is three.)
Foundations & Winning: Whenever you find an Ace, either in the tableau or from the stock, you should immediately move it to a foundation pile – this is the start of one of your foundation stacks. Foundations are built up by suit: e.g., if you placed the Ace of Hearts, next you’ll need the 2 of Hearts, then 3♥, and so on up to King♥. The same goes for all suits. You have eight foundation piles to complete (two for each suit, since the game uses two decks). As you continue playing, keep transferring cards to the foundations whenever they fit – this is how you ultimately clear the tableau. The game is won when all 104 cards have been moved to their foundation piles in order. At that point, you’ve successfully beaten Harp Solitaire! Given the game’s difficulty, a win is quite an achievement – only a relatively small percentage of deals are winnable (some estimates put the win rate around only 5–10% on average). So don’t be discouraged if it takes many tries to win; each game will sharpen your skills, and that makes victory all the sweeter when it comes.
Figure: A typical Harp Solitaire layout at the start. There are 8 empty foundation slots at the top, a stock and waste pile in the upper left, and 9 tableau columns below (increasing from 1 card to 9 cards). The goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles by suit from Ace to King.
Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Winning Harp Solitaire
Harp Solitaire can be tough to beat, but with the right strategies, you can improve your odds. Here are some tips and tricks to help casual gamers master Harp Solitaire:
Expose Face-Down Cards Early: In the tableau, prioritize moves that flip face-down cards to face-up. The more hidden cards you reveal, the more information and options you’ll have. Opening up the larger stacks (those with more face-down cards) first can uncover crucial cards that enable further moves. Every card you turn face-up could be the key to freeing another card or starting a foundation pile.
Free Up Aces and Twos Quickly: Aces are the foundation starters – move them to the foundation piles as soon as they become available. Similarly, low cards (like 2s and 3s) of those suits should be moved up whenever possible. Clearing Aces and low-ranked cards out of the tableau not only progresses your foundation build, but it also frees space and opens up columns for more moves. Getting those foundations started early gives you more flexibility to maneuver other cards.
Plan Around the Limited Redeals: Remember that you only have a few passes through the stock. Try to make every flip count. If a card from the waste pile can be played either to the tableau or foundation, play it immediately to avoid clogging the waste. A good strategy is to save your re-deals for when you really need them – don’t just cycle through the stock quickly hoping for the perfect card. Instead, examine the waste card each time and see if you can use it before moving on. By being deliberate with stock flips, you ensure that you maximize the benefit of each pass and avoid wasting those precious re-deals.
Use Empty Columns Wisely: An empty tableau column is a valuable asset – but only if you have a King to place there (since only Kings can fill empty spaces). Whenever you clear a column, try to immediately fill it with a King (and ideally move a whole king-led sequence if you have one ready). If you don’t have a free King waiting, consider whether it’s wise to empty a column at that time; an empty space that you can’t use is effectively wasted potential. On the flip side, if a King is buried under some cards, make it a priority to free that King, because it can then be moved to an empty pile to unlock more moves. The sooner you get a King into an empty column, the sooner you can start building a new sequence there and moving cards around more freely.
Keep Tableau Moves Small and Tactical: Since you can generally only move one card at a time, you might have to do a lot of “micro-moves” to re-arrange sequences. For example, to move a buried card, you might move a top card to an empty spot (with a King), then move another card onto it, etc., effectively leapfrogging cards around one by one. This is normal in Harp Solitaire – think of it like untangling a knot one strand at a time. Be patient and look for intermediate moves that can eventually lead to the sequence you need. If a move doesn’t immediately pay off, that’s okay; sometimes you need to set up a position that becomes useful a few moves later.
Don’t Over-build on One Foundation Too Fast: This tip is a bit counterintuitive, but try to build foundations evenly when possible. If you run one foundation (say, spades) all the way up to King quickly, you might find later that you’re missing those low spades in the tableau to help as alternate colors in building sequences. In other words, keeping the foundations somewhat balanced (instead of immediately playing every single card to one foundation as soon as you can) can leave you with more cards available in the tableau of the opposite colors to maneuver. Of course, never hold back an Ace or Two – but for higher cards, sometimes pausing a bit can be strategic if you notice all of one color leaving play.
Take Advantage of Undo (when playing digitally): If you’re playing Harp Solitaire online (for example, on SolitaireX.io or other apps), make use of the Undo feature if it’s available. Harp is largely a game of skill and planning, and sometimes you might make a suboptimal move. An undo lets you rewind and try a different approach. This is especially useful for learning – you can experiment with a move, and if it leads to a dead end, undo it and explore an alternative. Just note that if you’re chasing high scores or win streaks, undoing might be disabled for those modes; but for casual play and practice, it’s an invaluable tool. Similarly, using hints can help if you’re stuck – a hint might point out a move you overlooked, which is easy to do with so many cards in play.
Be Patient and Keep Practicing: Finally, understand that Harp Solitaire is meant to be a hard game. Even excellent players don’t win every time – far from it. The win rate is low (often well under 20% of games are won), so you will lose more than you win. Don’t let that discourage you. Each loss can teach you something, whether it’s the importance of a certain move or just improving your foresight for the next game. Celebrate the small victories within a game (like finally freeing that buried Ace or King), and know that when everything does come together and you get that win, it’s extremely satisfying. Harp Solitaire rewards persistence and strategic thinking, so enjoy the process of getting better.
Interesting Facts About Harp Solitaire
Beyond the basics, here are some neat, lesser-known facts about Harp Solitaire that you might find interesting:
“Harp” a.k.a. “Gargantua”: As mentioned earlier, Harp Solitaire was originally introduced under the name Gargantua in older solitaire collections. The name Gargantua emphasizes its status as a giant-sized solitaire (two decks, lots of cards!). The more evocative name “Harp” came later – it’s the title that stuck in most modern game collections. So if you ever see Gargantua Solitaire listed somewhere, know that it’s essentially the same game as Harp Solitaire with a nostalgic alias.
Created by Famous Game Authors: The inventors of Harp, Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith, were big names in the mid-1900s in terms of card game literature. They authored numerous books on card games and puzzles, and many classic solitaire variants can be traced back to them. Harp was one of their contributions to give experienced players a new challenge. It’s a fun piece of history that this tough solitaire was deliberately designed to be a “hard mode” of Klondike long before video games popularized hard modes!
It’s in the Klondike Family: Harp Solitaire is essentially a member of the Klondike family of solitaire games (sometimes broadly called “Double Klondike” since it uses two decks). If you know how to play Klondike (the common Windows Solitaire), you have a head start on Harp – the foundation-building and alternate-color stacking rules are the same. The differences are the number of cards and piles, the one-card move restriction, and limited re-deals which make it harder. Interestingly, there are other two-deck Klondike games that are a bit easier – for example, Double Klondike itself often allows unlimited or more re-deals and moving of entire sequences freely (hence why its win rate can be much higher). Harp is like a stricter version that tests your skill more stringently.
Variants and Offshoots: Harp Solitaire has inspired several variants. We talked about Easy Harp (Endless Harp) which lets you redeal infinitely, making it much easier to eventually win if you keep at it. There’s also Harp Rush, Big Harp, and others which tweak rules such as how sequences can be moved or how many passes through the stock you get. And of course, Triple Harp takes it to the next level with three decks – that’s 156 cards! – and an even larger tableau. Few people have the patience for Triple Harp, but if you truly want to test your solitaire prowess, it exists. Knowing these variations exist is a fun fact in itself; it shows how the basic Harp concept can be adjusted to be more forgiving or even more challenging.
Win Rate is Low: We’ve noted this in the tips, but it bears repeating as a fact – Harp Solitaire is notoriously difficult to win. Estimates of win probability vary, but even computer simulations have found the win rate to be in the single digits percentage-wise. Compare this to simpler solitaire games; for example, regular Klondike (draw 1) might have around a 20-30% win rate for a skilled player, and some two-deck games like Double Klondike or Forty Thieves can often be won more than half the time (especially if unlimited re-deals are allowed). Harp’s stricter rules bring that win rate way down. So if you do manage to win a game, you’re in an elite club – enjoy the bragging rights! And if not, remember that losing more often is normal for this game, and each loss gives you more insight for next time.
Play Harp Solitaire Online at SolitaireX.io
One of the great things for modern players is that you can easily play Harp Solitaire online. A highly recommended place to try it is SolitaireX.io, where Harp Solitaire is available free in your browser (no download needed). On SolitaireX, you’ll get a smooth, user-friendly experience tailored for this game. There are some extra perks to playing online there as well, perfect for casual gamers:
Helpful Features: SolitaireX.io offers unlimited undos, a Hint button for when you get stuck, and even an optional Autoplay feature that can automatically move obvious cards to the foundations for you. These features can make learning Harp Solitaire much easier – you can experiment with moves and get gentle nudges in the right direction when needed, without feeling too frustrated.
Statistics and Leaderboards: If you register a free account, the site will track your game statistics (wins, losses, win rate, fastest time, least moves, etc.) and even let you compete on a global leaderboard. This adds a fun community aspect to what is usually a solo game. You can see how often people manage to win, challenge yourself to improve your best time, or just share the achievement when you finally win a tough game of Harp.
Device Compatibility: Since it’s browser-based, you can play on your computer or mobile device. This means you can practice a few rounds of Harp Solitaire on your phone during a break, or unwind at your PC – your choice. The game will always be there at solitairex.io, ready to play.
So if this article has piqued your interest, give Harp Solitaire a try online. It’s a fantastic way to put these rules and tips into practice. Just head over to SolitaireX.io’s Harp Solitaire page, start a new game, and enjoy the challenge! Happy card stacking, and may the cards be ever in your favor as you aim to orchestrate a win in Harp Solitaire!
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