How to play Canfield

A fast, tough classic with a reserve of thirteen cards.

The goal

Move all 52 cards onto the four foundations. Each foundation is one suit, building up from the rank of the first card dealt there. Every deal here can be won, but it takes care.

The layout

Top left is the stock and beside it the waste. To the right are the four foundations.
One card is dealt to the first foundation. Its rank is the starting rank for all four, shown on the empty ones.
Below the stock is the reserve: 13 cards with only the top one face up.
Below the foundations are four tableau piles, one card each to start.

Foundations

Build each foundation up in one suit from the starting rank, turning the corner from King to Ace. With a 7 start: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2 … 6.
Cards on a foundation stay there.

The tableau

Build down in alternating colors: a red 6 on a black 7. Building turns the corner too, so a King can go on an Ace.
You can move any properly built sequence together, including a whole pile.
An empty pile is filled straight away with the reserve’s top card. Once the reserve is empty, any card or sequence can go into an empty pile.
The reserve’s top card can go to a foundation or onto a tableau pile, and the next one turns up.

The stock

Tap the stock to turn cards onto the waste: three at a time in Draw 3, one in Draw 1. Only the top waste card can be played.
When the stock runs out, tap its empty spot to turn the waste back over. You can go through it as often as you like.

Modes

Draw 3: the classic game. Draw 1: easier, since every stock card comes up in turn.
Choose from New game, where you can also restart the current deal. Records are kept for each mode.

Controls

Drag a card or sequence to move it.
Double-tap a card to send it to the best spot: a foundation first, then a tableau pile.
On a keyboard: 1–4 play a tableau pile’s top card, R the reserve card, W the waste card, Space draws, U undoes.
Cards nothing else could need go up to the foundations by themselves, and once the rest only needs the foundations the game plays itself out.
If no useful move is left, you’ll be told, and can undo, restart the deal or start a new one.

Tips

Emptying the reserve is the key to winning. Play from it whenever you can.
Don’t rush cards to the foundations if they could hold a reserve card in the tableau.

Questions

How do you win Canfield?

Move all 52 cards onto the four foundations. Each foundation is one suit, building up from the rank of the first card dealt there. Every deal here can be won, but it takes care.

Is Canfield free to play?

Yes. Canfield on Everyday Games is free and plays in your web browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to download.

Do I need an account to play?

No. You can play without signing in, and your stats and games in progress are saved in your browser. Sign in with Google or Apple to keep them in your account and pick up where you left off on any device.

What modes does Canfield have?

You can play Draw 3 or Draw 1. Your record (games played, wins and best results) is kept separately for each.

Strategy guides

How to Play Canfield Solitaire