Australian Patience

A challenging combination of Klondike and Yukon where all tableau cards are dealt face-up and building is strictly by suit.

The Deal#

Four cards are dealt face-up to each of seven tableau columns (28 cards total). The remaining 24 cards form the stock.

The Layout#

• Tableau: Seven columns of four face-up cards where you build descending sequences by suit.
• Foundation: Four piles where you build each suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The remaining 24 cards, drawn one at a time to the waste.
• Waste: Where cards drawn from the stock are placed.

Rules#

1. Building the Tableau: Stack cards in descending order by the same suit. For example, the 7 of Hearts can only be placed on the 8 of Hearts.
2. Moving Groups: Like Yukon, you can pick up any face-up card and move it along with all cards on top of it, regardless of whether those cards form a valid sequence. This gives you flexibility to reorganize the tableau.
3. Empty Columns: Only Kings (or groups headed by a King) may be placed in empty tableau spaces.
4. Drawing from Stock: Turn one card at a time from the stock to the waste pile. Only one pass through the stock is allowed, so use your draws carefully.
5. Building Foundations: Move Aces to the foundation, then build up each foundation by suit from Ace to King.

Variants#

• 1 pass: Only one pass through the stock (default).
• 3 passes: Three passes through the stock for a slightly easier game.
• Unlimited passes: No limit on passes through the stock.

Strategy Tips#

• Since all tableau cards are face-up from the start, plan your moves carefully before drawing from the stock.
• Build in suit whenever possible, as this is required for tableau building.
• Use the Yukon-style group moves to reorganize piles and access buried cards.
• Empty columns are valuable but restricted to Kings, so plan ahead before clearing a column.
• With only one pass through the stock and strict suit building, Australian Patience is a difficult game. Focus on creating long in-suit sequences early.