What is Canfield Solitaire?
Canfield Solitaire is a classic patience variant known for its reserve pile and challenging foundation rules. Unlike Klondike, the first foundation rank is set by the opening foundation card. All foundations then build upward by suit, wrapping from King to Ace when needed.
The reserve pile is the heart of Canfield. You need to move reserve cards into play whenever possible, but the tableau and foundation order can make that difficult. The game rewards careful timing more than quick clearing.
A common mistake is treating Canfield like ordinary Klondike. The reserve pile changes priorities because every reserve card left buried is a future restriction. Before cycling the stock, look for tableau moves that expose or place the top reserve card.
Canfield rules and setup
A typical Canfield deal has a reserve pile, four tableau piles, four foundations, and a stock. One foundation card is dealt to set the starting rank. Tableau cards build downward in alternating colors, and foundations build upward by suit from the starting rank.
- Move reserve cards into tableau or foundations when legal.
- Build tableau cards downward in alternating colors.
- Build foundations upward by suit from the starting rank.
- Use stock and waste cards to open tableau moves.
- Win by moving all cards to the foundations.
Canfield vs Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire starts foundations with Aces and deals seven tableau columns. Canfield uses a reserve and a variable foundation start, so it can feel less familiar and more constrained. Both games reward stock awareness and smart tableau sequencing.
If you want the familiar version most players know, start with Klondike on vSolitaire. If you want to understand older patience variants, Canfield is a useful next comparison in the Solitaire variants family.