Simple Simon Solitaire is an enjoyable single-player card game that anyone can play, from casual gamers to grandparents looking for a relaxing pastime. It’s a patience game (another word for solitaire) played with a standard 52-card deck, and it’s actually a close relative of the famous Spider Solitaire. What makes Simple Simon special is its straightforward gameplay – there’s no frantic time limit, and all the cards are visible from the start, which means you can take your time and plan your moves. For seniors and casual players, this game is a perfect online solitaire choice: it’s easy to learn, mentally engaging, and available to play right in your web browser. In fact, regular engagement in solitaire games can even help older adults keep their minds sharp while providing hours of entertainment.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to Simple Simon Solitaire, covering a bit of its history and origins, the rules of the game, and a clear step-by-step guide on how to play. You’ll also find useful tips and tricks to improve your gameplay, along with some interesting facts about Simple Simon that you might not know. By the end, you’ll be ready to enjoy a round of this classic card game yourself – and we’ll show you how you can play Simple Simon Solitaire online for free, especially on a friendly site like SolitaireX.io. Let’s dive in and get shuffling!
A Brief History of Simple Simon Solitaire
Like many solitaire games, the exact origins of Simple Simon are a bit of a mystery. The game likely existed as a traditional card pastime before computers, but it wasn’t widely known until it started appearing in digital solitaire collections. Simple Simon gained popularity when it was featured in some early computer solitaire packages, which introduced it to a broader audience of card game enthusiasts. Once people discovered how fun and accessible it was, the game’s fan base grew, especially among those looking for a new twist on familiar solitaire classics.
The name “Simple Simon” might sound familiar – it’s the title of an old nursery rhyme – and it suits the game because this solitaire is simpler to grasp than some of its relatives. In fact, Simple Simon is essentially a one-deck variant of Spider Solitaire, a game known for using two decks and having a more complex setup. Simple Simon uses just 52 cards and has no confusing extra stock piles or redeals, which makes it more straightforward (hence “simple”) than four-suit Spider Solitaire. Despite this simplicity, it still offers a satisfying challenge. Over the years, Simple Simon has become a staple in many solitaire apps and websites, proving itself as a timeless game that bridges generations – beloved by young players and seniors alike.
Rules of Simple Simon Solitaire
Understanding the rules of Simple Simon Solitaire is easy. Here’s a breakdown of how the game is set up and how it works:
Deck and Layout: Simple Simon uses one standard 52-card deck (no Jokers). At the start of the game, all 52 cards are dealt face-up into 10 columns (tableau piles). The deal has a distinctive pattern: the first 3 columns get 8 cards each, the 4th column gets 7 cards, the 5th gets 6, and so on – with the last column getting just 1 card. This creates a tableau that looks like a triangle of cards, with every card visible to the player from the very beginning (there are no face-down cards and no extra stock pile to draw from).
Goal of the Game: The objective is to move all the cards into four complete sequences (one per suit) running from King down to Ace. When you successfully build a full descending sequence of 13 cards in the same suit (King, Queen, Jack, ... down to Ace), that entire sequence is automatically sent off to a foundation pile and removed from the tableau. To win the game, you need to assemble and remove all four suit sequences, clearing the tableau entirely.
Building on the Tableau: You can move cards around on the tableau columns by building downward in rank. Any top card of a column can be placed on another column’s top card if that card is exactly one rank higher, regardless of suit. For example, you can move a 6 of hearts onto a 7 of clubs – suit doesn’t matter for this single-card move (just the ranks). However, you cannot place any card on an Ace, since Ace is the lowest rank.
Moving Sequences: While you can build down regardless of suit, Simple Simon only allows you to move **multiple cards together if they form a proper sequence in the same suit. This means if you have a run of cards in descending order and all in one suit (for instance, 9♥-8♥-7♥ in one column), you can pick up that whole group and move it onto a 10♥ in another column as a unit. If the cards are not in the same suit sequence, you’ll have to move them one by one. This rule is what makes planning important – creating long same-suit sequences gives you more flexibility to move big stacks around.
Empty Columns: If you clear out a column (i.e., move all its cards elsewhere), you get an empty space. Empty tableau columns are very powerful in Simple Simon because you can move any single card or any sequence of cards into an empty column. Essentially, an empty column acts like a free parking space to temporarily hold cards while you rearrange other sequences. There is no restriction on what you can place there – it can be any starting card or sequence you choose.
No Redeals/Stock: Unlike some solitaire games, Simple Simon has no stock pile and no redeal. All cards are dealt out at the start, and there are no extra cards to draw later. This means the game is fully open-information; success comes from clever moves rather than lucky draws. Once you’ve dealt the initial layout, that’s it – you must work with the cards in front of you to create the suit sequences and win the game.
Figure: An example of the starting layout in Simple Simon Solitaire. All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 10 columns at the beginning of the game (the first column has 8 cards and the last column has just 1). Notice there are no face-down cards and no reserve pile – every card is visible, which makes Simple Simon a game of pure strategy. The empty slots at the top are the foundation piles where completed King-to-Ace sequences will be moved as you progress. With this open layout and no surprise draws, you can plan your moves from the start and take your time – perfect for a relaxing game!
How to Play Simple Simon Solitaire (Step-by-Step)
Now that you know the rules, let’s walk through how to play Simple Simon Solitaire step by step. This section will guide you through the flow of the game, from the initial deal to winning (or ending) the game. Whether you’re playing with physical cards or on an online site, the gameplay sequence is the same:
Deal the Cards / Start the Game: Begin by dealing out the entire deck into the 10 tableau columns as described above (most online games will do this automatically for you). You should have a triangular layout of cards with all cards face-up. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the tableau – since all cards are visible, you can scan the layout for potential moves right away.
Look for Moves: Identify any moves you can make. Remember, you can move a card onto another if the other card is one rank higher. For example, if you see a 5 sitting at the top of one column and any 6 at the top of another column, you can move that 5 onto the 6 (suit doesn’t matter for a single-card move). Drag or place the 5 onto the 6. By doing so, you’re building a downward sequence. Continue scanning all the tableau piles for such down-in-rank moves and make those moves to start organizing the cards.
Build and Uncover Cards: As you move cards, you’ll start freeing up cards that were beneath them. Continue to build down in rank across the columns. Whenever possible, try to build sequences in the same suit – for instance, if you have a 10♠, 9♠, 8♠ in descending order, keep them in sequence. Same-suit sequences are valuable because you can move them as a group. For example, if you have that 10♠-through-8♠ sequence, you can pick it up and move the whole set onto a J♠ somewhere else. This helps in clearing columns faster and arranging cards into the needed suit runs.
Clear Full Suit Sequences: Keep an eye out for when you manage to assemble a complete run of cards from King all the way down to Ace in the same suit in one column. The moment you form such a sequence (K-Q-J-...-3-2-A of one suit), those cards will be removed from the tableau to a foundation – usually this happens automatically in digital games. For example, if you line up King through Ace of hearts in order, those 13 heart cards will fly off to a foundation pile, clearing up an entire column. This is one of your main goals, as removing full sequences makes the remaining game easier (and it means you’ve completed one of the four suits).
Use Empty Columns Wisely: Any time you empty a column (whether by moving its cards elsewhere or by clearing a full sequence), use that space to your advantage. Empty columns can be filled with any card or sequence you want. Often, a good strategy is to move a long descending sequence that isn’t in perfect suit order into an empty column to get it out of the way, or to free up other cards. You can also temporarily park a single troublesome card in an empty spot while you rearrange others. The more empty columns you create, the easier it becomes to maneuver the remaining cards.
Continue Until Win or Stuck: Keep repeating the process: move cards down in rank, build same-suit sequences, clear full runs, and open up columns. Eventually, you will either win by clearing all the cards or reach a point where no further moves are possible. Since most deals of Simple Simon are solvable (with good strategy about 80–85% of games can be won), don’t give up too easily – look for less obvious moves or consider undoing a move to try a different approach if you get stuck. If you’re playing on a site like SolitaireX.io, you may have an “Undo” or “Hint” button which can be very helpful. If no moves remain and you haven’t won, simply start a new game and try again. Each deal is a fresh puzzle!
By following these steps, you’ll gradually improve your ability to spot moves and plan out sequences. Simple Simon Solitaire is a game of strategy and foresight, so playing at a relaxed pace and thinking a few moves ahead will greatly increase your chances of success.
Tips and Tricks for Improving Your Gameplay
Even though Simple Simon is one of the more accessible solitaire games, having a few strategy tips up your sleeve can make it even more enjoyable and boost your win rate. Here are some useful tips and tricks, especially helpful for beginners and senior players who want to improve:
Create Empty Columns Early: One of the best strategies in Simple Simon is to free up tableau columns as soon as you can. Clearing a column (making it empty) gives you a free space to maneuver other cards. For instance, try to vacate the smaller piles (like the right-most columns) early in the game to increase your card mobility. An empty pile is incredibly useful – you can temporarily move a whole sequence there or shuffle cards around more freely. Don’t hesitate to move cards out of a column even if it’s not immediately forming a suit sequence, if it means you’ll empty a column.
Focus on Same-Suit Sequences: While you can place cards on different suits freely one-by-one, you ultimately need to build sequences in the same suit to clear them. Whenever possible, prioritize moves that keep or form long same-suit runs. For example, if you have a choice between placing a 7♣ on an 8♥ versus placing a 7♥ on an 8♥, the latter keeps the suit together (hearts in this case) and will allow you to move that 7-8 block together later. Focusing on suit-uniform sequences will make it easier to relocate large stacks of cards and complete the foundations.
Use Empty Spaces Strategically: Every empty column is like a wildcard – you can move any card or sequence into it. Use these spaces to temporarily store cards that are in the way of forming sequences. For example, if a certain sequence is almost complete but one card is blocking it, move that blocking card into an empty column to free things up. Then you can move it back or to another place when needed. Strategically using empty spots to hold and rearrange cards is often the key to solving tricky layouts.
Plan a Few Moves Ahead: Try to think beyond the immediate move. Before you move a card, consider what will be revealed or what sequence you can form as a result. Because all the cards are visible, Simple Simon rewards planning. Ask yourself, “If I move this 5 to that 6, will it enable a bigger move afterward? Will it help uncover a card I need, or free a column?” Taking a moment to foresee the consequences can prevent you from making moves that stall the game. There’s no time pressure, so you can take as long as you need.
Don’t Rush to Clear Sequences (Unless It Helps): This tip might sound counterintuitive – after all, removing a full King-to-Ace suit is the goal. And generally, you should clear sequences as soon as you complete them. But in some cases, if you’re one or two cards away from completing a sequence, you might hold off on making the final moves until you’ve made use of that sequence in the tableau. For example, a nearly complete sequence can still be moved around as needed; once it’s cleared to foundation, you lose that flexibility. That said, most of the time clearing a sequence is beneficial (it opens a column!), so use your judgment. If removing a sequence frees up a column, it’s almost always a good idea to do it right away.
Practice and Patience: Finally, remember that every game deal is different. If you lose, don’t be discouraged – shuffle up and try again. Simple Simon Solitaire is a game of skill but also of patience. The more you play, the better you’ll become at spotting opportunities. Many players find that over time they win a large majority of their games because they’ve learned the patterns and strategies that work best. And since roughly 4 out of 5 deals are winnable with perfect play, improving your skill will directly lead to more wins. Take your time, enjoy the process, and use the Undo feature in online games to refine your strategy by trying different moves. With a bit of practice, you’ll be winning Simple Simon regularly!
Interesting Facts and Insights about Simple Simon Solitaire
Beyond the basics of how to play, Simple Simon Solitaire has its own little quirks and interesting tidbits. Here are some fun facts and lesser-known insights about the game:
A One-Deck “Spider”: Simple Simon is often described as a one-deck version of Spider Solitaire, and for good reason. It belongs to the Spider family of solitaire games. The gameplay is very similar to Spider 4-suit (the most challenging Spider variant) but scaled down to a single deck and with all cards dealt face-up. If you’ve played Spider Solitaire on Windows, transitioning to Simple Simon will feel familiar – but likely easier and quicker, since there are fewer cards and no face-down deals.
No Stock, No Surprises: Unlike Klondike (classic solitaire) or others, Simple Simon has no stock pile at all – meaning there are no extra cards to deal during the game. What you see in the initial layout is what you get. This makes Simple Simon a pure strategy game. Some players love this aspect because it removes luck-of-the-draw factors; every win or loss is entirely based on the moves you make. It also means you won’t get stuck waiting for a lucky flip of a card – you can focus on logical planning from the outset.
High Winning Chances: Simple Simon is known to be quite winnable compared to many solitaire games. Estimates show that about 80–90% of all random deals are solvable with the right strategy. In practice, that means if you play thoughtfully, you have a very good chance of winning most games. This high solvability makes Simple Simon rewarding, especially for players who dislike no-win scenarios. It’s encouraging to know that if you didn’t win a game, you probably could have with a different strategy – which makes you want to try again and improve.
Digital Popularity: The game’s rise in popularity is tied to computer solitaire collections. Simple Simon wasn’t as widely known in the old days as Klondike or FreeCell, but when it started appearing in software like freeware solitaire packages (e.g., the PySol program and others) and later on websites, many players discovered it for the first time. Its inclusion in these collections helped spread it globally. Now, there are numerous sites (like SolitaireX.io and others) where you can play Simple Simon Solitaire online anytime. It’s a great example of a classic card game that found new life through technology.
Spider vs. Scorpion vs. Simple Simon: If you’re a solitaire aficionado, you might have heard of Scorpion Solitaire, another relative of Spider. An interesting difference: in Scorpion, you’re allowed to move any face-up card (and all cards on top of it) regardless of order, which can lead to very chaotic moves. Simple Simon, by contrast, is more strict – you can only move sequences that are in perfect descending order (especially same-suit sequences) or single cards. This makes Simple Simon a bit more orderly. Some consider Scorpion a bit harder or at least different in strategy, whereas Simple Simon’s limitations actually make you plan more carefully. It’s fun to compare if you ever try those variants, but for most players, Simple Simon hits the sweet spot of challenge and clarity.
Why “Simple Simon”? The name might come from the idea that this game is a “simpler” form of something (likely Spider). It also happens to be the name of a nursery rhyme character known for being a simple, straightforward fellow. In the context of solitaire, Simple Simon lives up to its name – it strips away some complications (like multiple decks and hidden cards) and delivers a pure, streamlined solitaire experience. Don’t let the “simple” name fool you completely, though: while it’s easy to learn, mastering it can still pose a delightful challenge!
Play Simple Simon Solitaire Online on SolitaireX.io
Now that you know how to play Simple Simon Solitaire and have some solid tips, why not give this enjoyable game a try yourself? The best way to experience Simple Simon is to play it online, and SolitaireX.io offers a fantastic, user-friendly platform to do just that. With a simple click, you can be playing Simple Simon in your web browser – no download or setup required.
SolitaireX.io is especially great for seniors and casual players. The interface is clean and easy to use, the cards are large and clear, and you can take your time to make moves at your own pace. Whether you’re on a computer or a tablet, the game adjusts nicely to your screen. Plus, features like an Undo button and Hint option (if you choose to use it) are available to help you out if you get stuck, making the experience stress-free and enjoyable.
Ready to play? Click here to play Simple Simon at SolitaireX.io and start a game right now! Challenge yourself to build those King-to-Ace sequences and see how many games you can win. With the knowledge you’ve gained – the rules, the step-by-step approach, and the tips & tricks – you’re well-equipped to have fun and succeed at Simple Simon Solitaire.
Enjoy the game, keep your mind sharp, and happy solitaire playing on SolitaireX.io! Good luck, and have fun stacking those cards!