Baker's Game Solitaire

1 deck. Average. No redeal.

Baker's Game Solitaire
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Baker's Game Solitaire uses 52 cards. All cards are dealt into 8 tableau piles. Four cells (to the left) and four foundation piles (to the right) are placed above the tableau piles.

The Aces are moved to the foundations as they become available.

The object of the game
To build the foundations up in suit to kings.

The rules
The top cards of tableau piles and cards from the cells are available to play. You can build tableau piles down in suit. Only one card at a time can be moved. The top card of any tableau pile can also be moved to any cell. Each cell may contain only one card. Cards in the cells can be moved to the foundation piles or back to the tableau piles, if possible.

There is no redeal.

Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Freeing Aces and Low Cards
   • Scan the tableau for Aces and move them to foundation piles as soon as possible to start building suits.
   • Focus on freeing low cards (e.g., 2s, 3s) that are buried in columns, especially those under higher cards, to build foundations early.
   • Use reserve cells to temporarily hold cards blocking access to Aces or low cards.
2. Build Long In-Suit Sequences
   • Create descending sequences in the same suit (e.g., 9♥, 8♥, 7♥) to maximize mobility, as these can be moved as a group if enough empty cells or piles are available.
   • Avoid building sequences that trap low cards (e.g., 2♥ under 8♥), as suit-based building limits options compared to FreeCell’s alternating colors.
   • For example, with 2 empty cells and 1 empty tableau pile, you can move a sequence of up to 4 cards (1 + 2 cells + 1 pile).
3. Keep Reserve Cells Empty
   • Reserve cells are critical for maneuvering cards, so keep them empty as much as possible to allow moving larger sequences.
   • Only use cells for cards that block critical moves, such as those covering Aces or key sequence cards.
   • If a cell holds a card, prioritize moving it to a tableau pile or foundation to free the cell.
4. Create Empty Tableau Piles Strategically
   • Empty tableau piles increase your ability to move card sequences, acting like additional reserve cells.
   • Focus on clearing columns with high cards (e.g., Kings or Queens) to create empty piles, but ensure you have a card or sequence to fill them productively.
   • Unlike Seahaven Towers, empty piles can be filled with any card or sequence, so use them to reorganize or free trapped cards.
5. Plan Moves to Avoid Blocking
   • Before moving, assess the tableau to ensure you’re not trapping low cards or blocking access to needed suits.
   • For example, avoid placing a 5♠ on a 6♠ if a 4♠ is buried elsewhere, unless you have a plan to free it.
   • Use the undo feature (if available) to backtrack from moves that lead to dead ends.
6. Balance Foundation Building
   • Build foundation piles evenly to maintain flexibility in the tableau. For instance, if the Hearts pile is at 9 while Diamonds is at 3, it’s harder to clear Diamonds cards from the tableau.
   • Avoid rushing to move all cards to foundations; keep some low cards in the tableau to facilitate sequence building.
7. Look Ahead and Experiment
   • Plan several moves ahead, considering how each move affects the tableau and reserve cells.
   • If stuck, try different move sequences or use hints (e.g., press ‘H’ for hints in some online versions) to identify overlooked options.
   • Test moves by making them and observing outcomes, using undo to revert if they don’t work out.

Baker’s Game is more challenging than FreeCell due to suit-based building. Success requires careful planning to free low cards, maintain empty cells and piles, and avoid trapping key cards. Practice these strategies, and leverage the open nature of the game (all cards face-up) to plan moves effectively. With persistence, you can significantly improve your win rate.

Comment
Baker's Game Solitaire was invented by C.L. Baker

The rules state that you can move only one card at a time. But as a shortcut, BVS Solitaire will allow you to move a full or partial build if there are enough empty tableau and empty cells, because you would have been able to get the same result by temporarily moving the extra cards into the empty tableaus.

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