How to play Clock Solitaire
Clock is the fortune-teller of card games: thirteen face-down piles laid out like a clock face, kings in the middle, and one unbroken chain of flips that was decided the moment the deck was shuffled. Flip a card, tuck it under its own hour, flip the next from that pile — and pray the fourth king stays asleep.
- The layout — Ace at one o'clock around to Queen at twelve; kings in the center start the chain.
- The chain — every card you place tells you where to flip next.
- Winning — all 52 cards face up before the fourth king lands. Exactly 1 deal in 13.
- No decisions — just the drama. Auto-play watches the fate unfold for you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Clock Solitaire?
Deal thirteen face-down piles of four: twelve arranged like a clock face (Ace at one o'clock through Queen at twelve) and the kings' pile in the middle. Flip the top center card, tuck it face up under the pile matching its rank, then flip the top card of THAT pile — and keep the chain going. Reveal all 52 cards before the fourth king appears and you win.
Is there any strategy in Clock Solitaire?
None at all — the outcome is fixed the moment the cards are dealt, which is exactly its charm. It is a fortune-telling ritual as much as a game: you are just finding out what the shuffle decided.
What are the odds of winning Clock Solitaire?
Exactly 1 in 13. The game is won precisely when the deal forms one single 52-card cycle, and the mathematics works out to a 1/13 chance — about 7.7% of deals.
Why does the fourth king end the game?
Each card you flip comes from the pile you just placed on. The king pile started the chain, so when the fourth king is placed there, there is nothing left to flip — the chain is complete. If any card is still face down elsewhere, it stays hidden forever.
How long does a game of Clock take?
Under a minute — flip through by clicking, or switch on auto-play and watch the chain run. Perfect between rounds of something heavier.
More free card games
Want games where your choices matter? Try Pyramid Solitaire, TriPeaks, or the merciless Scorpion.