Objective
Build four complete same-suit sequences from King down to Ace. When each suit foundation contains 13 cards, you win.
Setup
- 7 tableau columns are dealt with 7 cards each (49 cards total).
- Columns 1–4 start with 3 face-down cards and 4 face-up cards on top.
- Columns 5–7 start with all 7 cards face-up.
- The remaining 3 cards form the Stock (face-down).
- Foundations start empty (one per suit).
Piles (what each area is)
- Tableau: 7 columns where you build same-suit descending runs.
- Stock: 3 reserve cards that can be dealt once.
- Foundations: one pile per suit where you place King→Ace sequences.
Tableau rules and allowed moves
- Build down by suit: you can place a card (or stack) onto a card that is one rank higher in the same suit (example: 8♠ on 9♠).
- Empty columns accept Kings only.
- You can grab any face-up card and move it together with all cards above it. The moved stack does not need to be internally ordered; only the bottom card of the moved stack must fit the target.
- After you move cards away from a column, if the new top card is face-down it flips face-up automatically.
Foundations (sequences)
- You can move a same-suit descending sequence starting with a King to a foundation when the sequence starts at the bottom of a tableau column (Column start). The foundation must be empty.
- You can also drag from a foundation back to the tableau; this moves the entire stored sequence (not just the visible top card).
Stock (deal once)
- Click Stock to deal its 3 cards face-up onto the top of tableau Columns 1–3.
- After dealing, Stock becomes empty and cannot be used again in that game.
Controls and helpers
- Drag and drop: drag a face-up card/stack between tableau columns, or drag from foundation back to the tableau.
- Double-click / double-tap: on a tableau column’s top card, attempts to move a valid King-starting sequence from that column to its foundation.
- Undo / redo: Undo is available in the HUD and via Cmd/Ctrl+Z; Redo via Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Z (or Ctrl+Y on Windows).
- Hint: suggests a legal move when one exists.
Saving and sharing
- Your progress auto-saves locally in the browser and restores if you refresh or reopen the tab.
- Use Share to copy a short link that recreates the same starting deal (seed-based).
History and game family
Scorpion belongs to the Yukon family of patience games, and many rule references describe it as a close relative of Russian Solitaire. Its exact origin is harder to pin down than Klondike or Spider, so the useful history is really the family tree: Scorpion takes Yukon-style freedom to move any face-up card with the cards above it, then combines that with Spider-like same-suit King-to-Ace sequences.
The name also fits the table shape used by many modern versions. The seven tableau columns are sometimes called the body, while the three-card reserve is called the tail. That tail is small, but it can sting: once the three reserve cards are dealt, there is no second pass through the deck.
Strategy tips
- Flip face-down cards in columns 1–4 as fast as possible. Those 12 hidden cards limit your options severely. Every flip reveals new moves.
- Build same-suit sequences from the very first move. Scorpion requires same-suit building throughout — mixed columns become dead weight that must eventually be undone.
- Think about what you are burying. Every card you place on a column covers the cards below it. If you are covering a card you will need soon, the move may cost you more than it gains.
- Treat the stock as a last resort. With only 3 cards dealt exactly once, the stock is your emergency option. Using it too early removes your safety net.
- Plan King placements carefully. A King in an open column becomes the anchor for one of your four suit sequences. Choose which King to position where based on which cards of that suit are already accessible.
- Value right-side empty columns before the stock is dealt. The reserve lands on Columns 1–3, so empty spaces in Columns 5–7 stay flexible when the deal happens.
- Watch Aces and 2s. Nothing can be built onto an Ace, and a buried 2 can trap the Ace that needs to finish a suit sequence. Low cards are often the reason a promising deal locks up late.
How is Scorpion different from Klondike and Spider?
Scorpion combines elements from several solitaire families. Like Spider, it requires same-suit building — you can only place a card on a card that is one rank higher in the same suit. Like Yukon, you can move any face-up card with all cards above it, even if the moving stack is not ordered.
The result is more tactical than Klondike. There is no waste pile to cycle through and no alternating-color tableau building. Almost every decision changes the shape of a same-suit chain, opens or buries hidden cards, or creates a King-only empty column.
Can I move a disordered pile in Scorpion?
Yes. Any face-up card can be moved together with all cards above it, regardless of order. The bottom card of the moving stack must be exactly one rank lower and the same suit as the destination card.
What happens when I use the stock?
Clicking the stock deals 3 cards face-up onto columns 1, 2, and 3, one card each. This happens only once per game — once the stock is empty it cannot be reused. Choose the right moment carefully.
Is every Scorpion deal winnable?
No. Scorpion is one of the harder mainstream solitaire variants. Solitaire Till Dawn cites Morehead and Mott-Smith's estimate of roughly 1 win in 10, which matches the way experienced players describe Scorpion: possible, but unforgiving.
That estimate is useful context, not a universal probability. Rule details such as when completed runs clear, whether undo is available, and how players use the stock all change real results. If the stock is gone and no legal moves remain, the current line is blocked, though undo may still reveal a better earlier branch.
Common Scorpion variants
Solitarium implements standard single-deck Scorpion: one deck, seven tableau columns, a three-card reserve, same-suit building, King-only empty columns, and no redeal.
Wasp is the closest easier variant. It uses the same layout and same-suit movement, but any card or moving group can fill an empty column instead of Kings only. Double Scorpion uses two decks and asks you to build eight complete King-to-Ace sequences. Russian Solitaire is a related Yukon-family game with same-suit tableau building but a different layout and foundation rhythm.
Can I undo in Scorpion?
Yes. Unlimited undo via the Undo button or Cmd/Ctrl+Z. Scorpion's depth makes undo especially important — use it to backtrack when a sequence of moves leads to a dead end.
Sources and further reading
These references informed the rules, difficulty context, strategy notes, and variant explanations on this page.