Build the suits, then free the buried cards.

Why Päckchen needs its own guide

Päckchen is grouped with the broader Spider collection in the catalog, but it builds four Ace-up foundations from twelve face-up packets and redeals the packets only when no ordinary move remains. It does not assemble Spider-style King-to-Ace runs for removal. Use this guide for packet and redeal decisions; the Spider family guide covers a different movement goal.

How the packet count works

A standard deck has 52 cards. Four aces begin the foundations, leaving 48 cards, which make twelve packets of four. The published description names thirteen packets, a count that would need 52 cards after removing the aces. This game uses twelve so that every card is dealt exactly once.

Packet cards are fanned face up. The four foundations build by suit from Ace through King. A packet top can go to a foundation only when its suit and next rank match.

Build down by suit

A card can move onto the top of another packet only when it has the same suit and is one rank lower. For example, the Jack of Diamonds can land on the Queen of Diamonds. A descending same-suit run can travel as a group; selecting any card in that run moves it and every card above it.

Move a ready card to its foundation when this exposes a useful card underneath. A packet move can also expose a buried Two or the next needed card of another suit. Empty packets do not accept cards; their main value is that fewer obstructions remain before the next redeal.

Use the redeal deliberately

When no foundation or packet move remains, gather the first packet on top of the second, both on the third, and continue through the last. Turn the combined pile over and deal the remaining cards into new face-up packets of four without shuffling. The last packet may contain fewer than four cards after foundation progress.

The redeal changes which cards are exposed. Review the tops again before planning the next run. This implementation recognizes a repeated packet arrangement and ends the game because repeating the same no-shuffle cycle cannot expose a new card.

What to look for

Track the next missing rank in each foundation. If the Three of Clubs is needed, scan the packets for it and for cards that cover it. A move that uncovers that Three is often more valuable than extending a long tableau run elsewhere.

Because every card remains visible, you can compare several legal packet moves before choosing. Prefer a move that unlocks a foundation card or exposes another legal move. If moving a long run merely hides a useful top, consider playing shorter available moves first.