# How to Play Penguin Solitaire

Invented by David Parlett, Penguin is similar to [FreeCell](https://solitaired.com/freecell) where you use open cells to organize cards, but foundations start with a random card.

### Objective

Your goal is to move all 52 cards to 4 foundation piles by suit in ascending order based on the starting foundation card. You do this by organizing cards in the tableau and using 7 free or open cells.

### The Setup and Play Area

**Foundation piles:** These are the 4 piles where you aim to move cards in ascending order. The foundation will start with the same random number in 3 of the piles. As an example, if it starts with a 6, you will arrange cards in ascending order, starting with the 6 and ending with a 5\. The fourth foundation pile will not have a card, but instead that card will be placed at the bottom of the tableau.

**Tableau piles:** This area consists of 7 columns with 7 face-up cards each, totaling 49 cards.

**Free cells:** These are the 7 open cells where you can place any card.

![How to set up a game of Penguin Solitaire](https://defbnszqe1hwm.cloudfront.net/images/Penguin-setup.png) 

### Available moves

* **The last card of each tableau column can be moved to a foundation if it's one rank higher and of the same suit as the card in the foundation.**
* **Tableau cards or cards in the free cell can be moved on top of cards of of the same suit that are one rank higher.** For example, a 4 of Clubs can be placed on top of a 5 of Clubs.
* **Any card at the bottom of the tableau can go into the free cells,** as long as there is no card in the free cell.
* **You can move multiple cards at one time.** To move a group of cards, they must be sequenced in descending order by suit, and the top card of that group must be placed on top of a playable card of the suit and one rank higher.
* **A card one rank above the foundation cards can be moved to an empty column.** For example, if the starting card is a 3, then only 4s can be moved to an empty column.
* **You win when all cards have been moved to the foundation.**

## Strategy

* **Try to free up the cards that rank higher than the starting foundation card.** Because foundations are built in ascending order, try to make these cards available so you can move them out of the tableau into the foundation and make other cards playable.
* **The first visible sequence may not always be the best one.** Plan out your moves to remove as many cards as possible from the tableau.
* **Use free cells only when you cannot make any moves.** Sequence as many cards as you can, then use the free cells.
* **Try to empty the tableau columns quickly.** You can move cards that are one rank higher than the starting foundation card into empty columns, allowing you to build more cards.
* **If you get stuck, use the undo button.** You may not always make the right moves, and you may need to reverse some to win the game.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are some games similar to Penguin Solitaire?

[FreeCell](https://solitaired.com/freecell), [Eight Off](https://solitaired.com/eightoff), [Baker's game](https://solitaired.com/bakers), and [SeaHaven Towers](https://solitaired.com/seatowers) are similar games with a face-up tableau and free cells.

### What are other popular Solitaire games?

Here are some good games to play: 

* [Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/)
* [Mahjong](https://solitaired.com/mahjong)
* [Spider Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/spider-solitaire)
* [Crescent Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/crescent)
* [Yukon Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/yukon-solitaire)
* [TriPeaks Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/tripeaks-solitaire)
* [Pyramid Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/pyramid-solitaire)
* [Golf Solitaire](https://solitaired.com/golf)