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Deuces Solitaire is a double-deck Napoleon family game where the eight foundations begin with 2s already in place, then build upward through King and wrap around back to Ace. Ten tableau columns each start with one face-up card, and the strict same-suit building rule keeps the game demanding from start to finish.
What is Deuces Solitaire?
Deuces uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards). All eight 2s are extracted and placed on the eight foundations before play begins. The remaining 96 cards are dealt: one face-up card to each of ten tableau columns (10 cards), with 86 remaining in the stock. Foundations build upward in suit with wrapping: 2, 3, 4, ..., King, Ace. Tableau columns build down by the same suit, one card at a time. One stock card is drawn per turn with no redeals.
Why do foundations start on 2s?
Starting on 2s changes the entire foundation sequence. You build 2 through King (12 cards), then wrap to Ace as the 13th and final card. This wrapping mechanic means Aces are the hardest cards to place, since they must wait until Kings are already on the foundations. Planning around the wrap is the central challenge.
How to play Deuces Solitaire
Rules and objective
Move all 104 cards to the eight foundation piles. Each foundation starts with a 2 and builds upward in suit: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. Tableau columns build down by the same suit, one card at a time. Empty columns accept any single card. Draw one card from the stock per turn; no redeals are permitted.
Game setup
- Shuffle two standard 52-card decks together (104 cards total).
- Extract all eight 2s and place them on the eight foundation piles.
- Deal one face-up card to each of ten tableau columns.
- Place the remaining 86 cards face-down as the stock.
Strategies to win Deuces Solitaire
- Build 3s to foundations immediately. With 2s already in place, every 3 you find is an instant foundation play. Do not leave them on the tableau.
- Plan for the Ace wrap. Aces are the last cards placed on foundations (after Kings). Keep Aces accessible but do not waste empty columns storing them too early.
- Preserve empty columns carefully. With 86 cards in the stock and strict single-card movement, empty columns are your only buffer for rearranging.
- Build long same-suit runs on the tableau when possible. Even though you can only move one card at a time, a well-ordered column needs fewer moves to unpack later.
- Watch both copies of each rank. Two decks means two of every card. If one copy of a needed card is buried deep, try to free the other copy first.
Deuces vs similar Napoleon family games
| Game | Columns | Foundation start | Build rule | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forty Thieves | 10 | Ace | Same suit | ~15% |
| Deuces | 10 | 2 (wraps to Ace) | Same suit | ~20% |
| Lucas | 13 | Ace (pre-placed) | Same suit | ~25% |
| Busy Aces | 12 | Ace | Same suit | ~30% |
Winning odds and difficulty
Deuces wins roughly 20% of the time with skilled play. The combination of same-suit building, single-card movement, and the wrapping foundation sequence makes it quite challenging. Having the 2s pre-placed gives you a small head start, but the 86-card stock with no redeals demands precise planning.
Deuces Solitaire FAQ
What does "wrapping" mean in Deuces Solitaire?
Wrapping means the foundation sequence continues past King back to Ace. Each foundation builds 2, 3, 4, ..., Queen, King, Ace. The Ace is the 13th and final card on each foundation pile.
How many cards start on the foundations in Deuces?
Eight. All eight 2s (one per suit per deck) are automatically placed on the foundations at the start. This leaves 96 cards to distribute between the tableau and stock.
Can I move sequences of cards in Deuces?
No. Like classic Forty Thieves, only one card at a time may be moved. You must disassemble tableau sequences individually.
Where do Aces go in Deuces Solitaire?
Aces are placed on foundations last, after the King. The complete foundation sequence is 2 through King, then Ace. This is the opposite of most solitaire games where Aces are the first foundation cards.
Is Deuces harder than Forty Thieves?
Slightly easier on average. The pre-placed 2s give you a guaranteed starting point on all eight foundations, and with only one card per column at the start, you have more initial freedom. The wrapping mechanic adds complexity but the head start compensates.