Objective
Discard all 48 non-ace cards from the tableau. The game is won when only four aces remain, one in each column. A perfect game scores 48 out of 48.
Setup
- Use one standard 52-card deck (no jokers).
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
- Deal one card face-up to each of four columns. These form your tableau.
- The remaining 48 cards form the stock pile (face down).
Card Ranking
In Aces Up Solitaire, aces are the highest-ranked card in each suit. The ranking from highest to lowest is:
Ace > King > Queen > Jack > 10 > 9 > 8 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2
Ranking only matters within the same suit. Cross-suit comparisons are not relevant.
Legal Moves
1. Discard a Card
The top card of any column can be discarded (removed from play) if there is a higher-ranked card of the same suit showing as the top card of any other column.
Example: If the 7 of Hearts is on top of Column 1, and the Jack of Hearts is on top of Column 3, the 7 of Hearts can be discarded. The Jack of Hearts cannot be discarded unless an Ace of Hearts is showing in another column.
Important: Aces can never be discarded — they are always the highest card and are your goal to keep.
2. Move a Card to an Empty Column
The top card of any column may be moved to any empty column at any time. This is a free move with no restrictions. Only one card can be moved at a time — you cannot move a stack.
3. Deal from the Stock
On this site, you may deal from the stock whenever cards remain. When you deal, place one card face-up onto each column (or as many columns as possible if fewer than four cards remain in the stock). Discard moves and empty-column moves are still available before dealing, but they are optional.
This site allows you to deal even if discard moves are still available. Empty-column moves remain available and strategic, but they are optional before dealing.
End of Game
The game ends when:
- You win: All 48 non-ace cards have been discarded. Only four aces remain.
- No more moves: The stock is empty, no cards can be discarded, and no columns are empty (or all remaining cards are aces and thus cannot be discarded). The game is over.
Scoring
- 1 point for each discarded card.
- Maximum score: 48 (a perfect win).
- Leaderboard rank is determined by: highest score, then fewest restarts, fewest hints, fewest undos, fastest time, fewest moves, earliest submission.
Leaderboard Eligibility
A score can only be submitted at a true end state: either a win (score 48) or a no-more-moves state. You cannot submit mid-game scores.
Optional Rules (Not Used Here)
Some versions of Aces Up allow multiple redeals from the stock, or allow moving groups of cards. This version uses standard single-pass rules: deal one round through the stock, and only the top card of each column is active.