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Every card in the deck deals face-up into eight columns before your first move, so there's no luck left, just alternating-color sequences built one card at a time.

Bucket Solitaire is a member of the Canister family of open solitaires. The whole deck is dealt face-up into eight columns before your first move, so nothing is hidden and there is no stock to draw from. What separates Bucket from its parent is the building rule: columns are built down in alternating colors rather than without regard to suit, and only one card may be moved at a time.

Because every card is visible from the start, Bucket is a game of pure planning rather than luck. The single-card rule is what gives the game its bite: a tidy red-black sequence is worth little if it has to be dismantled card by card, so everything you stack must eventually come off again in the right order. Empty columns are precious — they are the only workspace you get.

Played thoughtfully, a large share of deals can be brought home, but hasty early moves will bury the very cards you need. Take a moment before the first move to find the Aces and plan a route to them.

Next up, if you want more: Canister Solitaire, or Baker's Dozen Solitaire.

For a change of pace, the original Solitaire is right there.

If you run into anything odd or have an idea that would make the game better, please contact me.

Enjoy playing!

How to play Bucket Solitaire

Layout:

4 foundation piles: Build up in suit from Ace to King.

8 tableau piles: Build down in alternating colors. The whole deck is dealt here at the start: the first four piles receive 7 cards each and the last four receive 6, all face-up. There is no stock or waste.

Foundation:

There are four foundation piles.

A foundation pile is started with an Ace. A card can then be added to a foundation pile only if it's one rank higher and the same suit as the pile's current top card, so the only card that fits on a 7 of hearts is an 8 of hearts. There can be no more than 13 cards in a pile.

The top card of each foundation can be moved back into play if another pile will accept it.

Tableau:

There are eight tableau piles: four of seven cards and four of six. Every card is dealt face-up.

A card can be added to a tableau pile only if it's one rank lower and the opposite color of the pile's current top card, so the only cards that fit on an 8 of spades are the red 7s.

Cards on the tableau that are not covered by another card are free to be played onto the foundation or any other tableau pile.

Empty tableau spots may be filled with any card.

Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences are not permitted.