Golf with Jokers Solitaire
A 54-card Golf Solitaire variant with two Joker wildcards that can be played on or matched against any card, adding a strategic safety net to the classic chain game.
What is Golf with Jokers Solitaire?
Golf with Jokers takes the standard Golf Solitaire layout and adds two Joker cards to the 52-card deck, creating a 54-card game. Jokers act as wildcards: a Joker can be played on any waste top card, and any card can be played on top of a Joker. This gives you two "free passes" to bridge otherwise impossible gaps in your chain.
The extra two cards slightly change the deal: seven columns of five cards use 35, one starts the waste, and the remaining 18 go to the stock pile (instead of 16). If a Joker shows up in the tableau, it can be played at any time to continue your chain. If it appears from the stock, it becomes a universal connector on the waste pile.
How to play Golf with Jokers Solitaire
Setup
- Shuffle a 54-card deck (standard 52 plus two Jokers).
- Deal seven columns of five face-up cards (35 cards total).
- Place one card face-up on the waste pile.
- The remaining 18 cards form the stock pile.
Rules
- Tap an exposed tableau card that is one rank higher or lower than the waste top.
- Jokers are wildcards: a Joker can be played on any card, and any card can be played on a Joker.
- Aces do not wrap to Kings in this variant.
- Draw from stock when no tableau card can be played.
- Win by clearing all cards from the tableau.
Winning strategy
- Save your Jokers for moments when the chain would otherwise break at a critical point.
- Do not play a Joker early unless it enables a very long chain continuation.
- If a Joker is on the waste pile, analyze which card to play next carefully, as any card is valid.
- Track where the second Joker is (tableau or stock) to plan your endgame.
Difficulty and win rate
Golf with Jokers has a win rate of approximately 50%, sitting between standard Golf (40%) and Putt Putt (55%). The two wildcard Jokers provide strategic flexibility, but using them at the wrong time can leave you stuck later. The extra two stock cards also provide a slight buffer. Skilled players learn to hold Jokers until they create maximum chain value.
Golf with Jokers vs. other Golf variants
| Feature | Golf | Golf with Jokers | Putt Putt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck size | 52 | 54 | 52 |
| Wildcards | None | 2 Jokers | None |
| A-K wrapping | No | No | Yes |
| Stock pile | 16 | 18 | 16 |
| Win rate | ~40% | ~50% | ~55% |
Golf with Jokers Solitaire FAQ
How do Jokers work in Golf Solitaire?
Jokers act as universal wildcards. You can play a Joker from the tableau onto any waste top card, and you can play any exposed card from the tableau onto a Joker sitting on the waste pile. Each Joker essentially gives you one free chain bridge.
Should I play my Joker early or save it?
Generally, save Jokers for moments when they enable the longest possible chain continuation. Playing a Joker early to remove one card is far less valuable than using it to bridge a gap between a long sequence of plays. Think of Jokers as your emergency reserve.
Can a Joker appear on the waste pile from the stock?
Yes. If you draw a Joker from the stock, it goes face-up on the waste pile. Because any card can be played on a Joker, this gives you a free choice of which exposed tableau card to play next, potentially opening a powerful chain.
How many cards are in the deck for Golf with Jokers?
The deck has 54 cards: the standard 52 plus two Jokers (one red, one black). The color of the Joker has no gameplay effect; both function identically as wildcards.
Is Golf with Jokers easier than Putt Putt Solitaire?
They are close in difficulty. Putt Putt has a slightly higher win rate (~55% vs ~50%) because wrapping applies to every Ace and King in the deck, while Jokers only provide two wildcards total. However, Jokers offer more dramatic single-use power, letting you bridge any rank gap rather than just A-K.