Beleaguered Castle: Rules Explained
Beleaguered Castle has no stock and no free cells, and every card is visible from the start. That makes the rules short and the game all planning. Here are the points people ask about most.
The layout and the goal
The four Aces start on the foundations. The other 48 cards are dealt face up into eight columns of six. The goal is to move all 52 cards to the four foundations, building each suit up from Ace to King.
What you can and cannot do
- Build down in any suit. A 6 of any suit goes on a 7 of any suit.
- One card at a time. Only the bottom card of a column can move, and you cannot move a run.
- An empty column accepts any card. With no free cells, it is your only spare room.
- No redeal and no stock. If no move is left, the deal is lost.
Where to start
The Aces are already up, so find the four 2s first, since they decide how fast you can start collecting. Do not bury low cards, and make empty columns on purpose. The Beleaguered Castle guide has more. If you like this kind of puzzle, compare it with Baker's Dozen, where empty columns stay empty, and with Beleaguered Castle itself.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Aces start on the foundations?
Yes. The four Aces are placed on the foundations at the start, and the 48 other cards are dealt to eight columns.
Can I move several cards at once in Beleaguered Castle?
No. Only the bottom card of a column moves, one card at a time.
What can go into an empty column?
Any card. There are no free cells, so an empty column is the only spare space.