Can I move a pile onto a pile that already has more than one card?

Yes. You move the entire pile (top card and all cards beneath it) onto the target pile. The move is allowed as long as the top cards of both piles match in suit or rank.

What happens if I have no moves left before dealing all cards?

You continue dealing the next card. After the deal, you may have new move opportunities. The game only ends when all 52 cards are dealt and no moves remain.

Is it better to deal all cards first or make moves as I go?

Many players deal the whole deck first and then plan moves, which increases the chance of success. Dealing as you go can work but gives less information for planning.

How many piles is a good result if I cannot win?

Finishing with a handful of piles is considered a good result for most players. The exact number varies, but ending with fewer than 10 piles is often seen as a strong performance.

Accordion Solitaire: Rules for the Hardest Patience

Accordion solitaire is a one-pile patience game and one of the hardest solitaire variations to win. The rules are simple. The odds of finishing with all 52 cards in a single pile are terrible. Understand the mechanics, apply the right strategy, and you give yourself the best shot at reducing the row to a handful of piles, maybe even one.

How the Game Works

Accordion uses one 52-card deck. Deal cards one at a time, face up, in a row from left to right. Place the first card in position 1. Each new card goes to the right of the previous one, forming a row of piles. A pile can be a single card or a stack. Only the top card of a pile matters for moves.

The goal is to finish with all 52 cards in a single pile. The game is famous for being won rarely. Most players consider finishing with a handful of piles a strong result.

The Move Rules

Move a card, and any pile beneath it, onto the card immediately to its left or onto the card three places to its left. The move is legal only if the two top cards match in suit or in rank.

Match in suit: Both top cards are the same suit, for example both hearts.
Match in rank: Both top cards have the same rank, for example both 7s.

Pick up the entire pile and place it on top of the target pile. The gap in the row closes. You can move a pile onto a pile that already has multiple cards, as long as the top cards match.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Dealing and Moving

Shuffle a 52-card deck.
Deal the first card face up. This is pile 1.
Deal the next card face up to the right of pile 1. This is pile 2.
After each deal, check whether you can move the new card or its pile onto the card immediately to its left or three cards to its left. If you can, make the move.
After a move, check again for any new legal move. Keep moving until no more moves exist.
Deal the next card and repeat. Continue until all 52 cards are dealt.
After the last card is dealt, you may still make moves. The game ends when no moves remain.

Deal Everything First

Many players deal the whole deck first and then plan moves. This approach increases the chance of success. You see every card before committing to a decision.

Strategy Tips for Better Results

Deal the Whole Deck First

Dealing all cards before making any moves gives you full information. You can see which suits and ranks appear and where they sit. This is the single most effective way to improve your odds.

Prioritise Moves That Reduce the Pile Count

Each move that combines two piles reduces the total pile count by one. The goal is a single pile, so any reduction helps. Focus on moves that bring piles closer together. A move that triggers a chain of further moves is especially valuable.

Exploit the Three-Left Rule

Moving onto the card three places to the left is powerful. It jumps over two piles and can bring distant matching cards together. Check both the one-left and three-left options before you act.

Work Left to Right

After dealing the deck, scan from left to right. Look for matches between neighbouring piles and piles three apart. A left-to-right sweep stops you missing an opportunity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Moving too quickly. A hasty move blocks better moves later. Always check whether a different move would leave more options open.

Ignoring the three-left option. Many players only check the card immediately to the left. The three-left move is just as valid and often more useful.

Giving up too early. Even if you end with multiple piles, recheck every possible move. A hidden chain of moves sometimes sits right in front of you.

Why the Game is So Hard

Accordion is famous for being won rarely. The move restrictions, matching suit or rank and moving only one left or three left, strangle your options. With 52 cards, the chance of a perfect sequence that consolidates everything into one pile is tiny. Most games end with several piles. Finishing with a handful is a good result.

The game is unforgiving. You cannot undo a move unless you replay from scratch. Planning ahead helps. Luck still rules.

Where to Play

Play accordion solitaire online at 247solitaire.my. The site offers free solitaire games with no download and no signup required.