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Blog

Tips, strategy, and updates from Solitaire Arcade.

500 Card Game Scoring Explained: Bids, Tricks and the 500-Point Target

Learn how 500 scoring works: the contract table, failed bids, defender points, Misère, and the race to 500 or down to -500.

2026-08-22 · Solitaire Arcade

500 Card Rankings Explained: Joker, Right Bower, Left Bower and Trumps

In 500, a Jack can change suits. Learn trump ranking from the Joker down, how the right and left bower work, and why the left bower counts as trump.

2026-08-19 · Solitaire Arcade

What Is Misère in 500? How Misère and Open Misère Work

Misère flips 500 upside down: the bidder tries to take no tricks. Learn how Misère and Open Misère work, what makes a safe hand, and how to defend.

2026-08-17 · Solitaire Arcade

What Are Bags in Spades? Scoring and How to Avoid the Penalty

Bags are overtricks in Spades. Learn how bag scoring works, when the 10-bag penalty hits, when to duck tricks, and how to manage bags without missing your bid.

2026-08-15 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Bid in 500: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Bid

Learn how to bid in 500: count likely tricks, value bowers and trump, use the kitty as an upgrade, know when to pass, and choose a contract you can actually make.

2026-08-14 · Solitaire Arcade

Australian 500 vs American 500: What’s the Difference?

Australian 500 and American 500 share the same bones — bidding, trump, bowers, and a race to 500 — but the auction, inkles, Misère, and scoring can feel like different games.

2026-08-12 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Bid Nil in Spades (And Protect Your Partner)

Learn when to bid Nil in Spades, which hands work, how partners protect a Nil, when bags take a back seat, and the mistakes that turn +100 into −100.

2026-08-12 · Solitaire Arcade

Spades Bidding Strategy for Beginners: How to Count Tricks

Learn beginner Spades bidding strategy: count sure winners, separate hope cards, value spades and short suits, respect your partner’s bid, and avoid overbidding.

2026-08-09 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Win 4 Suit Spider Solitaire

Win more 4 Suit Spider Solitaire games with same-suit discipline, empty-column control, contained mixed stacks, and careful stock timing — the habits that keep a crowded board flexible long enough to finish.

2026-07-08 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Win 2 Suit Spider Solitaire

Win more 2 Suit Spider Solitaire games with same-suit run discipline, early reveals, smart empty-column use, and stock timing — the habits that keep the board alive without overthinking every move.

2026-07-06 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks Stock Pile Strategy: When to Draw

Learn when to draw from the stock in Tri Peaks — scan both directions, extend weak runs vs burning a card, count your resets, recover after a bad draw, and build the calm stock habit.

2026-07-02 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks Strategy: How to Build Longer Runs

Learn Tri Peaks strategy — pick the move with the best next card, expose covered cards, balance all three peaks, handle Aces and Kings, and avoid the mistakes that break runs.

2026-06-23 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks vs Klondike Solitaire: Which Game Should You Play?

Compare Tri Peaks and Klondike Solitaire — rank chains vs foundations, suits vs momentum, stock roles, and which game fits your mood.

2026-06-16 · Solitaire Arcade

Leave Low Cards in the Stock: When Not to Play a Klondike Waste Card

In Klondike Solitaire, a playable stock card is not always a good stock card to play. Learn when to leave low cards in the stock or waste pile — and when moving them actually improves the board.

2026-06-15 · Solitaire Arcade

Is Every FreeCell Game Winnable?

Most FreeCell deals can be won — but not all. Learn why solvability matters, what to do when you get stuck, and how full visibility changes the feel vs Klondike.

2026-06-02 · Solitaire Arcade

FreeCell Free Cells vs Empty Columns: Which Matters More?

Learn when to use FreeCell free cells vs empty tableau columns — short-term holds vs real movement, supermoves, beginner mistakes, and the rhythm strong players use.

2026-05-22 · Solitaire Arcade

FreeCell vs Solitaire: What's the Difference?

Compare FreeCell and Klondike Solitaire — face-up puzzles vs hidden cards, stock timing vs free cells, luck vs planning, and which game suits your mood.

2026-05-15 · Solitaire Arcade

When to Deal From the Stock in Spider Solitaire

Learn when to deal from the stock in Spider Solitaire — reveal hidden cards first, protect same-suit runs, use empty columns, and deal only when the tableau stops improving.

2026-05-01 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Build Same-Suit Runs in Spider Solitaire

Learn how to build clean same-suit runs in Spider Solitaire — when mixed suits help, when to protect partial runs, and how empty columns and stock deals fit in.

2026-04-23 · Solitaire Arcade

Spider 1 Suit vs 2 Suit vs 4 Suit: Which Version Should You Play?

Compare 1 Suit, 2 Suit, and 4 Suit Spider Solitaire — how suit count changes difficulty, strategy, and which mode to play first.

2026-04-16 · Solitaire Arcade

What Does Shooting the Moon Mean in Hearts?

Shooting the moon in Hearts means taking every heart and the Queen of Spades in one hand. Learn how scoring works, when to attempt it, how to block it, and why failed tries hurt.

2026-04-02 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Pass Cards in Hearts

Learn how to pass cards in Hearts, including what to pass, when to void a suit, how passing direction changes strategy, and the common mistakes beginners make.

2026-03-26 · Solitaire Arcade

Hearts Strategy for Beginners: How to Avoid Points

Learn beginner Hearts strategy: avoid penalty points, pass with purpose, watch the Queen of Spades, create voids, lead safely, and avoid the common mistakes that cost hands.

2026-03-19 · Solitaire Arcade

Draw 1 vs Draw 3 Solitaire: Which Version Should You Play?

Compare Draw 1 and Draw 3 Klondike Solitaire — how the stock pile works, which version is easier, strategy differences, and which mode suits beginners vs experienced players.

2026-03-06 · Solitaire Arcade

Best Draw 3 Solitaire Strategies

Master Draw 3 Klondike Solitaire with stock-order planning, careful waste moves, tableau reveals, foundation timing, and the common mistakes that block wins.

2026-02-26 · Solitaire Arcade

Klondike Strategy Basics: How to Win More Games of Solitaire

Learn core Klondike Solitaire strategy for Draw 1 and Draw 3: reveal hidden cards, use empty columns wisely, build foundations steadily, and avoid the mistakes that quietly lose games.

2026-02-18 · Solitaire Arcade

Blog

Tips, strategy, and updates from Solitaire Arcade.

500 Card Game Scoring Explained: Bids, Tricks and the 500-Point Target

Learn how 500 scoring works: the contract table, failed bids, defender points, Misère, and the race to 500 or down to -500.

2026-08-22 · Solitaire Arcade

500 Card Rankings Explained: Joker, Right Bower, Left Bower and Trumps

In 500, a Jack can change suits. Learn trump ranking from the Joker down, how the right and left bower work, and why the left bower counts as trump.

2026-08-19 · Solitaire Arcade

What Is Misère in 500? How Misère and Open Misère Work

Misère flips 500 upside down: the bidder tries to take no tricks. Learn how Misère and Open Misère work, what makes a safe hand, and how to defend.

2026-08-17 · Solitaire Arcade

What Are Bags in Spades? Scoring and How to Avoid the Penalty

Bags are overtricks in Spades. Learn how bag scoring works, when the 10-bag penalty hits, when to duck tricks, and how to manage bags without missing your bid.

2026-08-15 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Bid in 500: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Bid

Learn how to bid in 500: count likely tricks, value bowers and trump, use the kitty as an upgrade, know when to pass, and choose a contract you can actually make.

2026-08-14 · Solitaire Arcade

Australian 500 vs American 500: What’s the Difference?

Australian 500 and American 500 share the same bones — bidding, trump, bowers, and a race to 500 — but the auction, inkles, Misère, and scoring can feel like different games.

2026-08-12 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Bid Nil in Spades (And Protect Your Partner)

Learn when to bid Nil in Spades, which hands work, how partners protect a Nil, when bags take a back seat, and the mistakes that turn +100 into −100.

2026-08-12 · Solitaire Arcade

Spades Bidding Strategy for Beginners: How to Count Tricks

Learn beginner Spades bidding strategy: count sure winners, separate hope cards, value spades and short suits, respect your partner’s bid, and avoid overbidding.

2026-08-09 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Win 4 Suit Spider Solitaire

Win more 4 Suit Spider Solitaire games with same-suit discipline, empty-column control, contained mixed stacks, and careful stock timing — the habits that keep a crowded board flexible long enough to finish.

2026-07-08 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Win 2 Suit Spider Solitaire

Win more 2 Suit Spider Solitaire games with same-suit run discipline, early reveals, smart empty-column use, and stock timing — the habits that keep the board alive without overthinking every move.

2026-07-06 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks Stock Pile Strategy: When to Draw

Learn when to draw from the stock in Tri Peaks — scan both directions, extend weak runs vs burning a card, count your resets, recover after a bad draw, and build the calm stock habit.

2026-07-02 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks Strategy: How to Build Longer Runs

Learn Tri Peaks strategy — pick the move with the best next card, expose covered cards, balance all three peaks, handle Aces and Kings, and avoid the mistakes that break runs.

2026-06-23 · Solitaire Arcade

Tri Peaks vs Klondike Solitaire: Which Game Should You Play?

Compare Tri Peaks and Klondike Solitaire — rank chains vs foundations, suits vs momentum, stock roles, and which game fits your mood.

2026-06-16 · Solitaire Arcade

Leave Low Cards in the Stock: When Not to Play a Klondike Waste Card

In Klondike Solitaire, a playable stock card is not always a good stock card to play. Learn when to leave low cards in the stock or waste pile — and when moving them actually improves the board.

2026-06-15 · Solitaire Arcade

Is Every FreeCell Game Winnable?

Most FreeCell deals can be won — but not all. Learn why solvability matters, what to do when you get stuck, and how full visibility changes the feel vs Klondike.

2026-06-02 · Solitaire Arcade

FreeCell Free Cells vs Empty Columns: Which Matters More?

Learn when to use FreeCell free cells vs empty tableau columns — short-term holds vs real movement, supermoves, beginner mistakes, and the rhythm strong players use.

2026-05-22 · Solitaire Arcade

FreeCell vs Solitaire: What's the Difference?

Compare FreeCell and Klondike Solitaire — face-up puzzles vs hidden cards, stock timing vs free cells, luck vs planning, and which game suits your mood.

2026-05-15 · Solitaire Arcade

When to Deal From the Stock in Spider Solitaire

Learn when to deal from the stock in Spider Solitaire — reveal hidden cards first, protect same-suit runs, use empty columns, and deal only when the tableau stops improving.

2026-05-01 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Build Same-Suit Runs in Spider Solitaire

Learn how to build clean same-suit runs in Spider Solitaire — when mixed suits help, when to protect partial runs, and how empty columns and stock deals fit in.

2026-04-23 · Solitaire Arcade

Spider 1 Suit vs 2 Suit vs 4 Suit: Which Version Should You Play?

Compare 1 Suit, 2 Suit, and 4 Suit Spider Solitaire — how suit count changes difficulty, strategy, and which mode to play first.

2026-04-16 · Solitaire Arcade

What Does Shooting the Moon Mean in Hearts?

Shooting the moon in Hearts means taking every heart and the Queen of Spades in one hand. Learn how scoring works, when to attempt it, how to block it, and why failed tries hurt.

2026-04-02 · Solitaire Arcade

How to Pass Cards in Hearts

Learn how to pass cards in Hearts, including what to pass, when to void a suit, how passing direction changes strategy, and the common mistakes beginners make.

2026-03-26 · Solitaire Arcade

Hearts Strategy for Beginners: How to Avoid Points

Learn beginner Hearts strategy: avoid penalty points, pass with purpose, watch the Queen of Spades, create voids, lead safely, and avoid the common mistakes that cost hands.

2026-03-19 · Solitaire Arcade

Draw 1 vs Draw 3 Solitaire: Which Version Should You Play?

Compare Draw 1 and Draw 3 Klondike Solitaire — how the stock pile works, which version is easier, strategy differences, and which mode suits beginners vs experienced players.

2026-03-06 · Solitaire Arcade

Best Draw 3 Solitaire Strategies

Master Draw 3 Klondike Solitaire with stock-order planning, careful waste moves, tableau reveals, foundation timing, and the common mistakes that block wins.

2026-02-26 · Solitaire Arcade

Klondike Strategy Basics: How to Win More Games of Solitaire

Learn core Klondike Solitaire strategy for Draw 1 and Draw 3: reveal hidden cards, use empty columns wisely, build foundations steadily, and avoid the mistakes that quietly lose games.

2026-02-18 · Solitaire Arcade