Variegated Demon strategy
Variegated Demon uses two decks. Eight Aces start eight suit foundations, while a thirteen-card reserve, five tableau columns, and a 78-card stock hold the rest. Tableau groups build down in alternating colors with rank wraparound. The stock draws three cards and allows at most two waste recycles.
Last updated: September 2026
Read the two copies of each suit
Each suit has two foundations. A Seven of Hearts can advance either heart foundation whose top is Six, and each has a thirteen-card limit. Check which copy of the next heart rank is exposed in the tableau, reserve, or waste before committing one foundation ahead of the other.
Both heart foundations end at Six and one Seven of Hearts is exposed. Either foundation accepts it. If an Eight of Hearts is accessible immediately afterward, the foundation that received Seven can take Eight next; the other foundation still needs the second Seven. The choice is about the cards each source move uncovers, not a universal rule to keep both foundations level.
Preserve an exit for the reserve top
Only the top of the thirteen-card reserve is playable. A reserve card can enter a suitable foundation or tableau column. Before a three-card draw covers the current waste top, check whether a reserve move can expose a needed card or whether a tableau transfer can create its destination.
The two waste recycles are a real limit in this variant. Use the Canfield guide for the shared reserve and wrapping-tableau idea, while planning here for duplicate cards and the capped stock passes.