Play Wasp Solitaire Online - The Strategic Scorpion Variant

Wasp Solitaire is a clever variant of Scorpion Solitaire that changes the dealing pattern while keeping the unique "move any face-up card" mechanic. Like a wasp compared to a scorpion, it has a similar sting but different behavior. Slightly easier than Scorpion but still delightfully challenging!

How to Play Wasp Solitaire

Objective: Build four complete same-suit sequences from King down to Ace within the tableau columns.

Game Setup

• Tableau: 7 columns, each with 7 cards (49 cards total)
• Dealing Pattern (KEY DIFFERENCE!): First 4 columns: all 7 cards face-up. Last 3 columns: 6 cards face-down, 1 card face-up
• Reserve: Remaining 3 cards set aside, face-down
• No Foundations: Build sequences directly in tableau, no separate foundation piles

Basic Rules

• Tableau Building: Build DOWN by SUIT (Q on K, 5 on 6)
• Moving Cards: Can move ANY face-up card, regardless of sequence
• Dependent Cards: When you move a card, ALL cards on top of it move with it
• Empty Columns: Can only be filled with a King (or King with cards on top)
• Reserve: When stuck, deal all 3 reserve cards (one each to first 3 columns)
• Win Condition: Four complete K→A sequences, one per suit

The Unique "Move Any Card" Rule

• Unlike most solitaire games, you can move ANY face-up card
• If 5 is buried under 8, 3, Q, you can still move 5
• Moving 5 also moves 8, 3, Q (all cards on top of it)
• This creates a "block moving" mechanic like in Scorpion
• Strategy revolves around choosing WHICH card to move to reorganize sequences

Winning Strategy for Wasp Solitaire

1. Exploit the Four Face-Up Columns

Wasp's unique deal gives you immediate information:

• The first 4 columns are FULLY visible (28 cards = more than half the deck!)
• Use these columns to build long sequences early
• Scan all 28 visible cards to plan your opening moves
• This is Wasp's biggest advantage over Scorpion (which hides more cards)
• Focus on same-suit builds in these visible columns first

2. Expose Face-Down Cards in Columns 5-7

Your secondary priority:

• Columns 5, 6, 7 each have 6 face-down cards - HIGH priority to expose
• Move cards FROM columns 5-7 to columns 1-4 when possible
• Each flip reveals critical information for planning
• Once all cards are face-up, you have perfect information for endgame strategy

3. Build Kings Down Toward Aces

The endgame goal is four K→A sequences:

• Identify where each King is located
• Work to build each King down by suit: K→Q→J→...→A
• Kings can only move to empty columns, so they're "anchor points"
• Try to dedicate one column per King/suit
• Build partial sequences (K→7) throughout mid-game, complete them in endgame

4. Strategic Use of "Block Moving"

The "move any card + everything on top" mechanic is powerful:

• Example: Column has K-9-8-7 (from bottom to top)
• Moving 8 also moves 7, placing them together elsewhere
• This can "rescue" buried same-suit sequences
• Think about which cards you want to move TOGETHER
• Sometimes moving a "wrong" card is correct because it brings useful cards with it

5. Empty Column Strategy

Creating empty columns is crucial:

• Empty columns can ONLY accept Kings (or Kings with cards on top)
• Use empties to reorganize Kings into "sequence-building" columns
• If K is buried with junk on top, move that entire block to an empty column
• Then work to clean up the junk and build the King down properly
• Try to create at least 2 empty columns by mid-game

6. Reserve Timing

You have 3 reserve cards that deal to the first 3 columns:

• Delay using reserve until you're truly stuck
• Adding 3 cards increases complexity - exhaust current moves first
• Ideally, use reserve after you've exposed all face-down cards
• Reserve cards are dealt face-up, so you'll see them before committing
• Once used, you're working with all 52 cards - no more help available

Advanced Wasp Tactics

The "Sequence Extraction" Method

When a same-suit sequence is buried, extract it:

• Column has: K-Q-J-10-4-3 (bottom to top)
• You want to preserve K→10 sequence
• Move 4 (with 3 on top) to another column
• Now K→10 is clean and ready to build further
• Extraction keeps valuable sequences pure

The "King Consolidation" Strategy

Get all four Kings into separate columns:

• If two Kings are in one column, one is wasting space
• Move excess Kings (with their junk) to empty columns
• Dedicate one column per King/suit for maximum organization
• This creates a clear "workspace" for each suit's K→A sequence

The "Junk Consolidation" Tactic

Sometimes you must consolidate unwanted cards:

• You have scattered 3, 7, J blocking useful sequences
• Move them together into one "junk column"
• This frees up space in "clean" columns for building sequences
• Later, extract useful cards from the junk column as opportunities arise

Wasp vs. Scorpion Solitaire

Similarities

• Both build down by same suit
• Both allow moving any face-up card (+ cards on top)
• Both build K→A sequences in tableau (no foundations)
• Both restrict empty columns to Kings only

Differences

• Dealing: Wasp deals 28 cards face-up initially (columns 1-4), Scorpion deals only 21 face-up
• Reserve: Wasp has 3 reserve cards, Scorpion has 3 reserve cards dealt differently
• Difficulty: Wasp is SLIGHTLY easier due to more initial visibility (win rate ~5-10% higher)
• Strategy: Wasp emphasizes exploiting the face-up columns, Scorpion emphasizes blind card management

Common Wasp Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not Utilizing the Face-Up Columns

New players treat all columns equally. Columns 1-4 are GOLD - they're fully visible. Focus on building sequences there first before worrying about columns 5-7.

Mistake 2: Moving Cards Without Considering the Block

Forgetting that moving 6 also moves everything on top of 6 leads to unintended shuffles. Always check: "What cards are on top of this card?" before moving.

Mistake 3: Filling Empty Columns Carelessly

Placing a King in an empty column without planning which King creates wasted opportunities. Choose the King whose suit/sequence is most ready to build.

Mistake 4: Using Reserve Too Early

Dealing the 3 reserve cards before exhausting current moves adds unnecessary complexity. Only use reserve when you've truly explored all options.

Mistake 5: Building Mixed Suits

Attempting to build like Klondike (alternating colors) fails in Wasp. You MUST build same suit. Q only goes on K, never on K.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a face-down card?

NO - only face-up cards can be moved (along with all cards on top of them). To access a face-down card, you must first remove all cards on top of it, flip it face-up, then you can move it.

What happens if I move a card with many cards on top?

ALL cards on top move together as a "block." Example: Moving 6 when 8, 3, Q are on top means all four cards (6-8-3-Q) move together to the destination.

Can I move part of a sequence?

You can move ANY face-up card + everything on top. So if you have K-Q-J-10 (bottom to top), you can move: (1) K+Q+J+10, (2) Q+J+10, (3) J+10, or (4) 10 alone. You CANNOT move just K without Q.

How hard is Wasp compared to other solitaire games?

Wasp is difficult but not as brutal as Scorpion. Win rates: Wasp ~10-15%, Scorpion ~5-8%. It's harder than Klondike (~20%) but easier than Spider 4-suit (~5%).

What's a good time to beat Wasp?

Most wins take 15-25 minutes. Wasp rewards careful analysis of the visible cards and strategic block-moving. Speed is less important than thoughtful planning.

Should I complete sequences early or late?

Complete sequences in the ENDGAME. Partial sequences (K→7) are useful for building and moving cards. Only complete K→A when you're close to winning or the sequence is blocking progress.

Can I win every Wasp deal?

NO - many deals are unwinnable. The random initial deal can create impossible situations where needed cards are permanently blocked. Don't get discouraged by losses - even experts win only 10-15% of games.

Why is it called Wasp?

Wasp is a variant of Scorpion Solitaire, and the name follows the "venomous creature" theme. Like a wasp, it has a sting (difficulty) but is slightly less dangerous than a scorpion!

Feel the sting of this strategic challenge - play Wasp Solitaire now!