How to play Kings in the Corner

Kings in the Corner is a relaxed card game for two to four players that plays like solitaire around a shared table. You play against one, two or three computer players: Millie, Roy and Bess. Everyone builds on the same eight piles around the deck, and the first player to get rid of every card wins the hand.

The deal

• One standard deck of 52 cards. Each player gets 7 cards.
• The rest is the face-down stock in the middle. Four cards are turned face up, one on each side of it: these are the four side piles.
• The four diagonal spots are the corners. If a king is turned up for a side pile, it moves straight into a corner and leaves its side spot empty.
• The player after the dealer goes first, and the deal moves around the table each hand.

A turn

• Your turn starts with one card from the stock, drawn for you.
• Then play as many cards as you can, in any order. A card goes on a pile when it is one lower and the other color: a red 6 on a black 7, a black jack on a red queen.
• Kings go in the corners. Only a king can start an empty corner, then it builds down like any pile.
• Move whole piles. A side pile can move onto another pile when its bottom card fits on that pile's top card. A side pile that starts with a king can move into an empty corner.
• Fill empty spots. Any card from your hand can go on an empty side spot.
• When you have played what you want, tap End turn. You do not have to play a card you can play.
• Tap a card, then the pile where it goes. Tapping the same card again plays it in the best spot. To move a pile, tap its bottom card, then the pile to move it onto.

Scoring

• When a player goes out, everyone else takes penalty points for the cards left in hand: 10 for each king and 1 for every other card.
• If the stock is empty and nobody plays a card for a whole round, the hand is blocked and everyone counts what is left.
• The game ends when someone reaches 15 penalty points, and the lowest total wins. If two players share the lowest total, one more hand is played. In Settings you can play a short game that ends at 8.

Tips

1. Kings first. A king in your hand costs 10, so put it in a corner as soon as one is free.
2. Look for pile moves. A 9 pile that fits on a 10 moves for free and opens a spot for any card.
3. Fill the spots you open. An empty spot at the end of your turn is a gift to the next player. Put your highest card there.
4. Hold a card nobody else can use. If you are the only one who can play on a pile, that pile waits for you.

Today's deal

The Daily Deal is one hand against three computer players, with the same cards for everyone. Go out first to score the penalty points the others are left with; otherwise your result is minus what is left in your hand. Compare it with everyone else's today. Your first try of the day is the one that counts.

Questions

Do I have to play every card I can? No. You choose what to play and when to end your turn. Most of the time playing more is better, but holding one card back can block the others.

Can I move a corner pile? No. Corner piles stay where they are. Only side piles move.

How strong are the computers? Easy plays cards at random and often stops early. Normal puts kings in corners, moves piles and fills the spots it opens. Sharp tries every order of plays in its turn and leaves the table so that the next player has as little to play as possible.

Can I play with my family? Playing with friends over a link, each on their own phone, is coming soon. For now you play the computers.

Do I need an account? No. Your game is saved in this browser, so you can close the page and come back.