Bristol strategy
Bristol starts eight face-up fans of three cards, three one-card reserve piles, and a 25-card stock. Only fan and reserve tops move. A card can land one rank lower than a fan top regardless of suit; empty fans cannot be refilled. Foundations build up in suit from Ace.
Last updated: September 2026
Compare the exposed fan card with the reserve tops
A Seven of Hearts may land on an Eight of Spades, revealing the card beneath the Seven while covering the Eight. Check whether the Eight is needed for a foundation or another fan transfer before making that placement. King cards are moved toward the bottom of their opening fans during the deal, so a covered King may take several moves to reach.
A stock deal changes three reserve tops
Each stock draw sends one card to each of the three reserve piles while cards remain. It can cover useful exposed reserve cards. The last stock packet has one card and reaches only the first reserve pile. Compare available reserve and fan moves before drawing; the stock has no redeal.
A short position
Constructed position: Seven of Hearts is on a fan top, Eight of Spades heads a second fan, and a third fan is empty. Seven can move onto Eight despite the suit difference, but not into the empty fan. If a reserve top is useful now, drawing will cover it with the next stock card.