Monte Carlo Solitaire is a free online card game where you clear a 5×5 grid by pairing adjacent cards of the same rank. Also known as Double and Quits or Weddings, it uses a single 52-card deck and takes just minutes to learn. No download required — play instantly in your browser on desktop or mobile.
How to Play Monte Carlo Solitaire
Monte Carlo Solitaire is simple to learn: deal 25 cards face-up into a 5-column, 5-row grid (the tableau). The remaining 27 cards sit face-down in the stock pile. Your goal is to remove every card by pairing identical ranks.
Step-by-step gameplay:
- Find a pair. Click any two cards of the same rank (for example, two 7s or two Queens) that are touching — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Suit does not matter.
- Discard the pair. Both cards are removed from the tableau, leaving two empty spaces.
- Redeal when stuck. When no more adjacent pairs exist, click the stock. The remaining cards collapse toward the top-left to fill the gaps, then new cards from the stock refill the empty cells at the bottom-right.
- Keep going. Repeat until the tableau and stock are both empty (you win) or no pairs are possible after a redeal (you lose).
Important rule: removing a pair does not make non-adjacent cards adjacent. The two cards that were on either side of the removed pair are now separated by a gap — they only become neighbours after the next collapse.
Monte Carlo Solitaire Rules
| Rule |
Detail |
| Deck |
Standard 52-card deck, no jokers |
| Tableau |
25 cards in a 5×5 grid, all face-up |
| Stock |
27 remaining cards, face-down |
| Valid pair |
Two cards of the same rank, touching horizontally, vertically, or diagonally |
| Suit |
Irrelevant — any suit combination is valid |
| Collapse |
After removing all available pairs, remaining cards shift left then up to close gaps |
| Refill |
Empty cells are filled with stock cards after each collapse |
| Redeal limit |
None — you may collapse and refill as many times as the stock allows |
| Win condition |
All 52 cards discarded |
| Lose condition |
No valid pair exists and the stock is empty |
Monte Carlo Solitaire Strategy and Tips
Monte Carlo is largely a game of luck, but smart choices can significantly improve your win rate. Use these tips to avoid common mistakes:
1. Don't rush the obvious pairs.
Before clicking, scan the entire grid. Removing one pair can block another. If two Queens are separated by a single card, check whether removing that card's pair first would bring the Queens together after the collapse.
2. Prioritise pairs that unlock stuck cards.
A card surrounded by non-matching neighbours is trapped. Target pairs near trapped cards first to free them up in the next redeal.
3. Think ahead before each collapse.
The collapse moves cards left-then-up in reading order. Try to visualise where cards will land after the shift — pairs that are not adjacent now may become adjacent after the redeal.
4. Leave a pair intact as a bridge.
An advanced technique: sometimes intentionally leave a matching pair in place to act as a "stepping stone." If two separate cards of the same rank are each adjacent to one card of the standing pair, removing the bridge pair at the right moment can chain-clear three pairs in sequence.
5. Use undo freely.
Solitaire 365 offers unlimited undo. If a move makes the board worse, undo it and try another pair first. Undo is not cheating — it is part of good strategy.
6. Watch for the 4-6-4-6 deadlock.
The most common losing position is an alternating pattern of two ranks with no third card adjacent to break it. Recognise this pattern early and avoid moves that steer the board toward it.
What Is Monte Carlo Solitaire?
Monte Carlo Solitaire is a patience card game from the "pairing" family, played with a single standard deck. Despite its glamorous name, it has no connection to the city of Monaco or casino gambling. The game is also known by the alternative names Double and Quits, Weddings, and Good Neighbours — the last name being a nod to how the pairing mechanic works.
The game's exact origin is unknown, but it appears in published card game references dating back at least to the early twentieth century.
Variants of Monte Carlo Solitaire
- Monte Carlo Thirteens — instead of matching identical ranks, you remove adjacent cards whose values add up to 13 (for example, a 5 and an 8). Kings count as 13 and are removed alone.
- Monte Carlo Fourteens — same concept, but pairs must total 14.
- Fourteens — uses the same 5×5 layout, but pairs must be in the same row or column rather than simply adjacent.
- 5×4 variant — a less common version deals only 20 cards into a 5-column, 4-row grid, making the game slightly shorter.
How Hard Is Monte Carlo Solitaire?
Monte Carlo Solitaire sits in the easy-to-medium difficulty range compared to other solitaire games. The rules are simple enough to grasp in one minute, but winning consistently is harder than it looks.
The game is more luck-dependent than strategic variants like FreeCell or Yukon Solitaire, where skill accounts for most of the outcome. In Monte Carlo, the initial random deal determines a large part of whether the hand is winnable at all. A typical win rate for an experienced player is roughly 10–20%.
That said, poor decisions can turn a winnable hand into a loss. The strategy tips above — especially scanning before every move and using undo — can meaningfully improve your results over time.
If you enjoy Monte Carlo but want more control over the outcome, try FreeCell (nearly all deals solvable, high skill weight) or Pyramid Solitaire (similar pairing concept, more structure).
Frequently Asked Questions About Monte Carlo Solitaire
What is the objective of Monte Carlo Solitaire?
The goal is to remove all 52 cards from the tableau by pairing cards of identical rank that are touching each other — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Can you always win Monte Carlo Solitaire?
No. Monte Carlo has a significant luck component because the initial deal is random. Unlike FreeCell, where nearly every deal is theoretically solvable, many Monte Carlo hands cannot be won regardless of strategy. Expert players estimate the win rate at around 10–20% depending on the rules and play style.
What does "collapse" mean in Monte Carlo Solitaire?
After you have removed all available pairs, clicking the stock triggers a collapse: every remaining card shifts left, then up, in reading order, closing all the gaps in the grid. New cards from the stock then fill the empty spaces created at the end of the tableau.
Is Monte Carlo Solitaire the same as Pyramid Solitaire?
No. Both are card-pairing games, but they have different layouts and matching rules. Pyramid Solitaire uses a triangular layout and removes pairs that total 13. Monte Carlo uses a rectangular 5×5 grid and removes pairs of identical rank.
How many cards are in Monte Carlo Solitaire?
The full standard 52-card deck is used. At the start, 25 cards are dealt to the tableau and 27 remain in the stock.
What are the other names for Monte Carlo Solitaire?
The game is also called Double and Quits, Weddings, and Good Neighbours.
Is Monte Carlo Solitaire free to play on Solitaire 365?
Yes — completely free, no download, no registration required. Play instantly in your browser.
