Plan the Octave deal from the first card to the final foundation.
Inspect all eight grace cards before considering the stock. They often supply the alternate-color link needed to expose a tableau card.
Last updated: September 2026
Understand the opening deal
Two decks deal three cards to each of eight columns, the first two rows face down. Eight additional face-up grace cards sit beside the tableau; the rest form the stock.
Inspect all eight grace cards before considering the stock. They often supply the alternate-color link needed to expose a tableau card.
Choose moves that open useful cards
Build down in alternating colors with single cards and build eight suit foundations upward. The stock may be drawn only when the layout is blocked; the drawn card must be played immediately.
The stock is an emergency resource. A drawn card that cannot enter a foundation or tableau ends the game, so improve the board’s acceptance choices first.
Avoid the main trap
Hidden cards under the short eight-column layout can be released quickly, but premature consolidation may remove the only landing place for an emergency draw.
When two moves look equally productive, prefer the one that leaves more playable pile tops or exposes another card. Check the destination against the next foundation ranks before committing.
Convert the position into a win
When blocked, draw only after checking every face-up card and empty column. Then play the drawn card immediately before any other move.
Use the grace cards, clear the tableau and finish the eight foundations.
Practice the decision points
Use Undo to compare two plausible moves from the same deal. The visible seed lets you restart and test whether a different opening creates more available cards later.