Play Bakers Dozen Solitaire Free Online
Bakers Dozen Solitaire
Baker's Dozen deals 52 cards into 13 columns of four, all face-up. Kings are automatically moved to the bottom of their columns during dealing — the game's signature rule. Build foundations from Ace to King regardless of suit on the tableau, moving only the top card of each column. Empty columns cannot be refilled. With complete information and no stock pile, it's a pure strategy game with roughly 70% winnability.
How to Play Bakers Dozen Solitaire
Layout
All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 13 columns of 4 cards each. Kings are automatically moved to the bottom of their columns during the deal. Four empty foundation piles sit at the top.
Objective
Move all cards to the four foundation piles, building each from Ace to King by suit.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Only the top (bottom-most visible) card of each column is playable.
- Build foundations up by suit: Ace, 2, 3 … Queen, King.
- You can move the top card of any column onto another column's top card if it is one rank lower (regardless of suit). E.g. place a 5 on a 6.
- Kings start at the bottom of columns and can only be moved to foundations when the time comes.
- Empty columns CANNOT be filled — once a column is empty, it stays empty.
- There is no stock pile — all cards are visible from the start.
- Win when all four foundations are complete.
Bakers Dozen Guides & Strategy
Read our in-depth guides to master the rules and improve your win rate.
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Bakers Dozen Variations
Bakers Dozen Classicmedium
Play Baker's Dozen Classic - empty tableau columns cannot be refilled.
Bakers Dozen Easyeasy
Play Baker's Dozen Easy - allows refilling empty tableau columns.
Good Measure
Play Good Measure Solitaire online for free — a Baker's Dozen variant.
Portuguese
Play Portuguese Solitaire online for free — a Baker's Dozen variant.
Why Play Bakers Dozen Solitaire Online?
Baker's Dozen lays out 13 columns of 4 cards each, all face-up. Kings are automatically moved to the bottom of their columns, creating a unique constraint. With no stock pile and no empty-column moves allowed, you must plan every move carefully.
Game Features
- All Cards Visible — Pure strategy with complete information
- Kings at Bottom — Unique dealing rule prevents King blocking
- 13 Columns — Wide layout for scanning all options at once
- Unlimited Undo — Plan the perfect sequence of moves
- Smart Hints — Identifies which cards to prioritize for foundations
- No Download — Play instantly in your browser
Bakers Dozen Tips and Strategies
Since empty columns can't be refilled, avoid creating them unless doing so directly advances foundation building. The Kings-at-bottom rule means they won't block you — but they also can't be moved. Focus on building foundations evenly across all four suits. Track which suits have the most accessible low cards.
Bakers Dozen Solitaire Rules
Scoring System
Baker's Dozen scores 10 points for each card placed on a foundation. With all cards face-up from the start, the game is purely strategic. A perfect game with all 52 cards on foundations scores 520 points.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The key Baker's Dozen mistake is building tableau sequences without considering which foundation cards you need next. Since Kings start at the bottom, focus on freeing the cards above them rather than trying to move Kings around.
Bakers Dozen Solitaire — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Bakers Dozen Solitaire.
What is Bakers Dozen Solitaire?
Bakers Dozen Solitaire is a classic card game you can play for free online at Solitaire.fyi. No downloads or registration required — play instantly in your browser on any device.
Why do Kings move to the bottom in Baker's Dozen?
Kings automatically move to the bottom of their columns before play begins to reduce initial blocking. Since only Kings can start foundation piles and they can't be placed on other cards in the tableau, this rule ensures they don't block important cards.
Can you refill empty columns in Baker's Dozen?
No, empty columns cannot be refilled in Baker's Dozen. This makes empty columns less valuable than in other games. Focus on building foundations rather than creating empty columns.
Why are Kings moved to the bottom in Baker's Dozen?
Kings are placed at the bottom of columns during dealing to prevent them from blocking access to other cards. Since empty columns cannot be refilled in Baker's Dozen, a King on top of a column would create an immovable obstacle. This rule is the game's defining characteristic.
Can you fill empty columns in Baker's Dozen?
No — once a column is empty in Baker's Dozen, it stays empty permanently. This is one of the key constraints that makes the game challenging. You must plan carefully to avoid creating empty columns prematurely.
What is the win rate for Baker's Dozen Solitaire?
Baker's Dozen has a moderate win rate of approximately 40-60% with careful play. All cards are dealt face-up so it is purely a strategy game — losses come from poor planning rather than bad luck.
How is the Baker's Dozen tableau dealt?
All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 13 columns of 4 cards each. As the deal happens, any King is moved to the bottom of its column so it cannot block. Foundations build up by suit from Ace to King. There is no stock pile or reserve.
How many cards can I move at once in Baker's Dozen?
Only one card at a time — no group moves are allowed. You build down on the tableau by rank only (suit does not matter), and place foundations up by suit from Ace. The single-card rule combined with no empty-column refills is what makes the game tactical.
Why are Kings moved to the bottom?
Kings go to column bottoms during dealing because empty columns can't be refilled in Baker's Dozen. A King on top would permanently block access to cards beneath it, since Kings are the highest card and can't be placed on anything else.
Is Bakers Dozen Solitaire free to play?
Yes — 100% free at Solitaire.fyi with no hidden costs, no sign-up, and no ads that interrupt gameplay. Play unlimited games on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
What is a good win rate for Bakers Dozen Solitaire?
Win rates vary by variant and skill level. Experienced players typically win 30-60% of games depending on the variant. Using undo and hints can help you improve.
History of Bakers Dozen Solitaire
Baker's Dozen takes its name from the tradition of bakers giving 13 items when a dozen is ordered. The game's 13 columns of 4 cards each mirror this concept. First documented in Victorian-era patience books, it stands out for its rule of moving Kings to the bottom of columns during dealing — a mechanic designed to prevent them from blocking play. With all cards face-up and no stock pile, it is a pure strategy game that has been a favourite in patience collections for over a century.
Cognitive Benefits of Bakers Dozen
Baker's Dozen exercises systematic analysis of open-information puzzles. With all 52 cards visible and no stock pile, success depends entirely on finding the optimal sequence of moves. This pure strategy environment builds methodical thinking and the ability to evaluate complex interdependencies.