How to play Addiction Solitaire
Addiction (also known as Gaps or Montana) deals the whole deck into four rows of thirteen, then removes the aces to open four gaps. Every move is the same simple question: which card belongs in this gap? A gap accepts only the same-suit card one rank higher than the card on its left — the gap beside the 9♥ wants exactly the 10♥. Gaps in the far-left column take any 2, and a gap sitting to the right of a King is dead. Win by arranging all four rows to run 2 through King in one suit.
- Click or drag — click a highlighted card to send it to its gap, or drag it there yourself.
- Three shuffles — when nothing moves, shuffle: correctly placed cards stay, the rest redeal.
- Green dot — cards showing the dot are locked in and will survive every shuffle.
Strategy tips that actually win games
- Build from the left edge. Only cards in an unbroken 2-3-4… run from the leftmost slot are safe from shuffles. A lone 10 in the right place is worth nothing yet.
- Don't bury gaps behind Kings. Before moving a card, check what the move leaves behind — a gap to the right of a King is a dead slot until you shuffle.
- Choose which 2 goes where. Each leftmost gap takes any 2, and that choice commits the whole row to a suit. Pick the suit whose low cards are closest to the left already.
- Chase chains, not single placements. The best move opens a gap that immediately has its own filler — count two or three moves ahead before committing.
- Spend shuffles late. A shuffle with 8 locked cards is worth far more than one with 2. Squeeze every forced move out of the board first.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Addiction Solitaire?
All 52 cards are dealt into four rows of thirteen, then the aces are removed to leave four gaps. A gap can only be filled by the card of the same suit that is one rank higher than the card to its left — so a gap next to the 7♠ takes exactly the 8♠. Gaps in the leftmost column take any 2, and a gap directly to the right of a King is dead. Arrange every row to run 2 through King in a single suit to win.
How do the three shuffles work in Addiction Solitaire?
When you run out of moves you can shuffle up to three times per game. Cards that are already correctly placed — a 2 in the leftmost slot followed by same-suit cards in perfect order — stay exactly where they are, and everything else is redealt to random slots. You can never lose progress by shuffling.
Is Addiction the same game as Gaps or Montana Solitaire?
Yes — Addiction, Gaps, Montana, Spaces and Vacancies are all names for the same family of solitaire. The version here matches the common online rules: four gaps from removed aces, same-suit building and three shuffles.
What is the best strategy for Addiction Solitaire?
Work from the left: cards placed early in a row lock in and survive shuffles, so building 2-3-4 chains is worth more than a lucky card far to the right. Avoid moves that leave a gap directly behind a King, and hold your shuffles until the board is truly blocked.
Can every game of Addiction Solitaire be won?
No — even with perfect play some deals dead-end after all three shuffles, which is exactly what makes the game so addictive. Experienced players win roughly one game in five; careful gap management matters far more than speed.
Can I play Addiction Solitaire offline or on my phone?
The game runs entirely in your browser and works on phones, tablets and desktops. Your game in progress is saved automatically, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
More free card games
Enjoy rearranging a full deck? Try FreeCell, where every card is visible from the deal. Prefer shuffle-limited drama? Crescent Solitaire gives you three shuffles across two decks — or go back to the classic Klondike Solitaire.