Alaska Solitaire
A variant of Russian where in addition to building down by suit, you can also built up by suit. A close relative to Yukon.
Difficulty: Average
Rules provide a challenge.
Odds of winning: Very Low
Win about 1 in 7 games (15%).
Duration: Quick
Less than 5 minutes per game.
Skill Level: Balanced
Winning involves skill and luck equally.
How to Play Alaska
Game Objective
Move all cards to the four foundations.
Foundation Rules
- There are four foundations.
- An Ace may move to an empty foundation.
- The foundations build up by the same suit.
- For example the 6♠ may move onto the 5♠ and the 6♦ may move onto the 5♦. Starting with the 6♦ the following sequence can build on top 7♦ 8♦ 9♦ 10♦.
- Once on the foundation, the top card can continue to move as needed to build sequences on the tableau.
Tableau Rules
- There are seven tableaus.
- A King may move to an empty tableau. No other cards may move to an empty tableau.
- The tableaus build up by the same suit.
- For example the 6♠ may move onto the 5♠ and the 6♦ may move onto the 5♦. Starting with the 6♦ the following sequence can build on top 7♦ 8♦ 9♦ 10♦.
- The tableaus build down by the same suit.
- For example the Q♠ may move onto the K♠ and the Q♥ may move onto the K♥. Starting with the Q♦ the following sequence can build on top J♦ 10♦ 9♦ 8♦.
- Any card or stack of cards may move together as a group. Any stack of cards may move together, regardless of their build (no restriction on rank, suit or color).
Strategy & Tips
- Make all the moves to build down before attempting to build up.
Similar Games
There are 5 games that have a similar play style to Alaska: