Good Measure — Baker's Dozen with Aces Head Start

Good Measure Solitaire

Good Measure is an easier Baker's Dozen variant where two Aces are dealt to the foundations at the start. The remaining 50 cards are dealt into 10 columns of five. Like Baker's Dozen, Kings are moved to the bottom of their columns, and you can only move the top card of each column. The two pre-placed Aces give you a head start on foundation building.

How to Play Good Measure Solitaire

What’s Different from Classic Baker's Dozen?

Baker's Dozen with 2 Aces pre-placed on foundations and 10 columns instead of 13. An easier starting point.

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.

Other Baker's Dozen Variations

Or go back to Baker's Dozen Solitaire.

Classic Baker's Dozenmedium

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 fo...

Easy Baker's Dozeneasy

Baker's Dozen Easy relaxes certain restrictions from the standard game, making the puzzle more forgiving. The core experience — 13 columns, face-up cards, Kings at bottom — remains...

Portuguese Baker's Dozenmedium

Portuguese Solitaire is a Baker's Dozen variant with a twist: Kings are not automatically moved to the bottom of columns. This seemingly small change has a big impact — Kings can a...

Why Play Good Measure 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

Good Measure Tips and Strategies

With two Aces already on foundations, look for the matching 2s immediately. Focus on uncovering the remaining two Aces as quickly as possible. Since Kings sit at the bottom and can't be moved to empty columns, plan your column-clearing strategy around them.

Good Measure Solitaire Rules

A Baker's Dozen variant. All 52 cards dealt face-up into 10 columns. Two Aces are pre-placed on foundations. Build foundations up by suit from Ace to King. Build tableau down regardless of suit. Only single top cards can be moved. Empty columns cannot be refilled. No stock pile. Win when all four foundations are complete.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Good Measure Solitaire.

What is Good Measure Solitaire?

Good Measure 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.

How does Good Measure differ from Baker's Dozen?

Good Measure starts with two Aces on foundations and uses 10 columns (instead of 13). The Kings-to-bottom rule and single-card movement are the same. The pre-placed Aces and fewer columns make it noticeably easier.

Is Good Measure 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 Good Measure 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 Good Measure 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 Good Measure

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.

Play Good Measure Solitaire Free Online