Play Agnes Bernauer Solitaire Online for Free (Agnes Patience)
Agnes Bernauer is a Klondike variant where the foundations do not always start at Ace. A random rank is drawn at the start of each deal, and all four suits build up from there, wrapping past King back to Ace when needed. The round-robin stock adds a planning layer that standard Klondike does not have.
What is Agnes Bernauer Solitaire?
Agnes Bernauer keeps the seven-column alternating-color tableau from Klondike and adds three changes: a random foundation start rank, wrapped foundation building, and stock deals that distribute one card to each tableau column in sequence rather than drawing a single card at a time. Empty tableau columns accept any card, not just Kings.
That combination makes each deal feel slightly different. The foundation target shifts, the wrap points change, and the round-robin stock means you have to think about which columns are ready to receive a new card before you deal.
How to play Agnes Bernauer Solitaire
- Note the random foundation start rank shown by the seeded foundation cards at the start of the deal.
- Build tableau columns down in alternating colors, moving single cards or complete alternating-color sequences.
- Move cards to foundations once they match the current target rank for that suit in the wrapped progression.
- When stuck, deal from the stock. Each deal distributes one card to every tableau column in left-to-right order.
- Use empty columns to park any card, not just Kings, to keep sequences mobile.
- Win when all four suit foundations have completed their wrapped thirteen-card sequence.
Winning strategies
- Read the wrap before pushing to foundations: if the start rank is 7, the 6 of each suit is the last card, not the Ace. Missing the wrap point early can stall an otherwise clear path.
- Time your stock deals deliberately: round-robin dealing puts a card on every column whether you want it there or not. Columns that are already blocked get worse. Clearing space before dealing is usually worth one or two moves.
- Keep at least one empty column open: the freedom to move any card to an empty column is one of the biggest differences from standard Klondike. Losing that flexibility too early tends to lock the game.
- Do not push foundations faster than the tableau can support: sending a card to foundations too soon can remove the bridge rank that one of your columns needed for an alternating-color transfer.
Rules summary
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deck | 1 standard deck (52 cards) |
| Tableau | 7 columns, Klondike-style deal |
| Foundation start | Random rank, same for all four suits |
| Foundation build | Up by suit, wraps King to Ace |
| Tableau build | Down, alternating color |
| Stock deal | One card per tableau column, round-robin |
| Empty columns | Accept any card |
How difficult is it?
Agnes Bernauer sits at medium difficulty for the Klondike family. The random foundation start is an adjustment, not an obstacle, because the wrapped sequence is predictable once you know the rank. What actually causes losses is letting the round-robin stock pile cards onto blocked columns without preparation. A practical win rate is about 28%, which is lower than standard Klondike Turn One but high enough that careful play makes a real difference.
What is the difference between Agnes Bernauer and Agnes Sorel?
Both games share the same deal structure, random foundation start, and wrapped progression. The practical difference is one rule: Agnes Bernauer builds tableau columns down in alternating colors, while Agnes Sorel builds down in same colors. That single change makes Sorel noticeably tighter because fewer cards can dock on any given column, which reduces your transfer options and drops the win rate to around 24%. Bernauer is the more forgiving of the two.
What I find interesting about Agnes Bernauer
The random foundation start is a small change that has a larger effect than it looks. It does not make the game harder in a mechanical sense, but it does force you to think about rank relationships differently each deal. You cannot use the same opening moves every time because the first useful foundation rank is different.
What I find less compelling is that the round-robin stock can feel punishing when the board is already crowded. Getting one new card on every column at once is a lot to process, and a bad deal at the wrong moment can close paths that were otherwise manageable. I prefer games where the stock pressure builds more gradually, but the wrapping foundations do make up for it in the mid-game.
Frequently asked questions
How does the random foundation start work in Agnes Bernauer?
At the start of each deal, one rank is chosen at random and one card of each suit at that rank is placed as a foundation starter. All four foundations then build upward from that rank, cycling through the full thirteen-card sequence and wrapping past King back to Ace as needed.
How does foundation wrapping work in Agnes Bernauer Solitaire?
If the start rank is 8, the foundations build 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 before they are complete. The sequence wraps through King back to Ace without stopping, so you need to track which rank comes after King for your specific deal.
Do empty columns require Kings in Agnes Bernauer Solitaire?
No. Any card can be placed on an empty tableau column. This is one of the key differences from standard Klondike, where only Kings fill empty spaces. The flexibility makes empty columns much more useful as temporary parking spots.
What is the best opening strategy in Agnes Bernauer Solitaire?
Focus on revealing face-down cards early and avoid committing cards to foundations before you understand the tableau structure. The foundation start rank tells you which cards will become valuable soon, so prioritize exposing those in the first few moves.
Is Agnes Bernauer Solitaire harder than standard Klondike?
Yes. The win rate of about 28% is lower than Klondike Turn One. The wrapping foundations and round-robin stock add planning demands that standard Klondike does not have. The open empty columns partially offset this, but the game is a meaningful step up in complexity.
Other solitaire games I recommend
Agnes Sorel is the closest comparison: the same structure but with same-color tableau descent if you want a harder variant. The related games below also cover the wider Klondike family.