Rules for Scorpion

Scorpion is a challenging solitaire game played with a single deck of 52 cards. The name comes from the layout: the seven columns form the scorpion's body, while three extra cards set aside form its tail. The game was first described in the 1949 book The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games by Morehead and Mott-Smith.

The goal is to build four complete same-suit sequences from King down to Ace directly in the tableau columns. Scorpion is related to Spider Solitaire, but plays more like Yukon.

Deal 49 cards into seven columns of seven cards each:

• In the first four columns, the bottom three cards are face down and the top four are face up
• In the last three columns, all seven cards are face up
• The three remaining cards are set aside face down as the reserve (the scorpion's tail)

In total, 12 cards will be hidden across the first four columns.

You build downward by suit on the tableau columns. For example, you can place the 6♠️ on the 7♠️, or the Q♥️ on the K♥️.

What makes Scorpion special is that you can move any face-up card regardless of what sits on top of it. All cards above the chosen card come along as a unit, even if they are not in sequence.

Example: If the 9♣️ is in the middle of a column with three other cards above it, you can move all four cards to a column where the top card is the 10♣️.

• A face-up card can be moved onto another card of the same suit that is one rank higher. All cards sitting above the moved card follow along.
• When a face-down card becomes the topmost card in a column, it is flipped face up.
• Empty columns can only be filled with a King (or a group of cards with a King at the bottom).
• When no more moves are available, you may deal the reserve: the three tail cards are dealt face up, one each to the first three columns.

The reserve can only be used once.

You win when you have built four complete sequences in the columns, each consisting of 13 cards of the same suit from King down to Ace:

• ♠️ Spades: K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A
• ♥️ Hearts: K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A
• ♦️ Diamonds: K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A
• ♣️ Clubs: K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A

In some versions, a completed sequence is automatically moved to a foundation pile. In others, it stays in the column until the game is finished.

• Uncover hidden cards first: The 12 face-down cards in the first four columns are key. Prioritise moves that reveal them.
• Save the reserve: Only deal the tail cards when you have no other moves. The three extra cards can block useful cards if played too early.
• Watch out for Aces and Twos: Avoid burying low cards under long sequences. Since nothing can be placed on an Ace, a visible Ace at the bottom of a column locks it up.
• Plan empty columns: Only clear a column if you have a King ready to fill it. An empty column without a King is wasted space.
• Think ahead: Study the entire board before making a move. One mistake early on can make the game impossible to solve.

Scorpion is a tough game. Statistically, you can expect to win roughly 5 to 10 percent of games, depending on strategy and a bit of luck. Not every deal is solvable, so don't be discouraged if the game doesn't work out.

There are a couple of variants worth knowing about:

• Scorpion II: The first three columns have face-down cards instead of the first four, making the game slightly easier.
• Wasp: Nearly identical to Scorpion, but empty columns can be filled with any card, not just Kings.