What is Scorpion Solitaire?
Scorpion Solitaire is a demanding one-deck variant that feels closer to Spider than to classic Klondike. The goal is to arrange every suit in descending order from King to Ace inside the tableau. Completed suit sequences are the win condition.
The game is unforgiving because many cards are visible but not easy to free. A tempting move can bury a key suit card and make the final sequence impossible. Good Scorpion play is patient and suit-aware.
Scorpion rewards players who think in suits before ranks. Moving a card to make a short sequence can be harmful if it separates cards that need to finish together later. Empty spaces are especially valuable because they let Kings and long suit runs move into cleaner positions.
Scorpion rules and setup
Scorpion usually deals seven tableau columns plus a small reserve. Cards build downward by suit, not alternating color. You may move groups of face-up cards even when the moved group is not internally ordered, as long as the destination card follows the suit and rank rule.
- Build descending sequences in the same suit.
- Move face-up groups when the destination is one rank higher and the same suit.
- Empty spaces are usually filled by Kings.
- Use reserve cards carefully because they can unlock or block a suit.
- Win by completing four King-to-Ace suit sequences.
Scorpion vs Klondike Solitaire
Klondike alternates colors in the tableau and builds foundations upward. Scorpion builds downward by suit directly in the tableau. That makes Scorpion more specialized and usually harder for casual players.
If you are learning solitaire fundamentals, start with classic Solitaire rules. If you already like strict suit planning, Scorpion is worth understanding as part of the larger solitaire family.