Play Exiled Kings Solitaire Online for Free (No Signup Required)

Only kings can plug an empty column here, unlike Citadel's anything-goes rule, so brace for one of the site's toughest single-deck games at 4%.

Exiled Kings Solitaire takes Citadel and removes its safety net: only kings can fill an empty tableau column, instead of any card. That one change turns a fairly forgiving Beleaguered Castle variant into one of the toughest games on the site, with just a 4% chance of winning. It's played with a single deck, and your result comes down to skill and a bit of luck in the deal.

Other solitaire games like Citadel Solitaire and Beleaguered Castle Solitaire are close relatives.

If you enjoy Exiled Kings, Solitaire is the traditional version worth a look too.

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

Have a good time playing!

How to play Exiled Kings Solitaire

Layout:

4 foundation piles: Build up from ace to king in the same suit. The four aces are dealt on these piles at the start of the game.

8 tableau piles: Build down in any suit. Only the top card of each pile is playable. Only kings can fill empty spaces. Each pile gets 6 cards at the start of the game, and any card that can go straight to a foundation is moved there as it's dealt.

Foundation:

There are four foundation piles.

Each foundation pile starts with an ace.

A card can be added to a foundation pile if it's one rank higher than the pile's current top card and the same suit. So the only card that fits on a 4 of diamonds is the 5 of diamonds.

A foundation pile's top card can move back into play if another pile will accept it.

Tableau:

Eight tableau piles of six cards each, all dealt face-up.

Any card that can go straight to a foundation during the deal is sent there immediately.

A card can be added to a tableau pile if it's one rank lower than the pile's current top card, of any suit. So the only cards that fit on a jack are the four tens.

Any tableau card not covered by another card is free to move to a foundation or another tableau pile.

Only kings can fill an empty tableau space.

You can only move one card at a time; sequences aren't allowed.