Chinese Patience
Chinese Patience is a fast two-player race with a single shared pack. Build the shared foundations up by suit, keep the four columns moving, and load your cards onto your rival's waste to slow them down. The first player to clear their stock and waste wins. Play the computer, or play online against a real player, including players on the Android app.
The deal
One 52-card pack is used. Four cards start the four columns in the middle of the table, and the other 48 are split between the two players: 24 each, face down, as your stock. Who starts is chosen at random.
Foundations and columns
- The four foundations are shared. Start one with an ace, then add cards of the same suit in order up to the king.
- The four columns build downwards in alternating colours, like a black 5 on a red 6. Any card from your stock or waste can start an empty column.
- You can't take cards out of the middle of a column. You may move a whole column onto another if its first card is one lower and the opposite colour of the other column's last card.
- The last card of each column can go to a foundation or onto your rival's waste.
Your turn
Make your moves from your waste and the columns, then turn up the top card of your stock. It must be dealt with straight away:
- If it fits a foundation, it must go there.
- Otherwise play it onto a column or your rival's waste, or put it on your own waste, which ends your turn.
Only your turned stock card can go on your own waste. When your stock runs out, your waste is turned over to become your new stock.
Loading your rival
Get rid of cards by putting them on your rival's waste pile: same suit, one higher or one lower than their top card.
Winning and scoring
- The first player to empty both stock and waste wins, scoring 1 point for every card the other player still holds.
- If neither player can make progress, the game ends and the one with fewer cards left scores the difference.
- Points add up across games as your match score.
Playing online
Choose Play Online to join the lobby, then challenge any player waiting there, or accept a challenge sent to you. Web and Android app players share the same lobby. Both tables are dealt from the same shuffle and every move is checked on both sides; you can ask for a rematch at the end of each game.
Controls
Tap a card, then tap where it should go, or drag it. Double-tap a card to send it to the best place. Tap your stock to turn a card. Stuck? Press Hint.
Tips
- Make all your other moves before turning a stock card: once it is turned you must deal with it first.
- Load your rival whenever you can.
- Keep a column open: an empty column lets you park an awkward card.