Canfield Solitaire is a classic card game named after Richard A. Canfield, who ran a casino in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the 1890s. In Britain the same game is called Demon. The rules below cover Canfield, the Saratoga casino story, and why Americans once used the name for Klondike. This is a separate game from Klondike, with its own setup and strategy.
The Casino Story of Richard Canfield
Richard A. Canfield ran a high stakes casino in Saratoga Springs, New York, during the 1890s. The game that bears his name was played there with real money. Players bought a deck for $50 and received $5 for every card they placed on a foundation. That payout made the game a draw. The casino connection links Canfield Solitaire to the gambling culture of the era, which is why the game still carries his name.
Why Americans Once Called Klondike 'Canfield'
For a time, Americans referred to Klondike Solitaire as Canfield. Both games share a similar layout and foundation building mechanic. But Canfield has distinct rules: a reserve of 13 cards and a specific tableau arrangement. The confusion led to the two names being used interchangeably in some circles. They are separate solitaire variants, and the setup differences matter once you sit down to play.
Canfield Solitaire Rules Setup
Set up the game in this order:
- Deal a reserve of 13 cards, with the top card face up.
- Place 4 tableau cards beside the reserve, all face up.
- Deal one card to the foundation row. This card sets the starting rank for all 4 foundations.
The remaining cards form the stock. Turn it later.
Canfield Solitaire Rules Gameplay
Foundations build up in suit from the starting rank, wrapping from King to Ace. Tableau piles build down in alternating colours, also wrapping. Turn the stock 3 cards at a time with unlimited redeals. If a tableau space becomes empty, fill it from the reserve. The goal is to move all cards to the foundations.
Building on Foundations
Each foundation starts at the rank of the initial foundation card. Add cards of the same suit in ascending order. When you reach King, the next card is Ace, then continue upward.
Building on Tableau Piles
Tableau piles accept cards of alternating colours in descending order. Wrapping works here too: after Ace comes King, then continue downward.
Using the Reserve and Stock
The reserve of 13 cards is the key feature. Move the top card of the reserve to a tableau or foundation when possible. If a tableau space is empty, you must fill it from the reserve. Turn the stock three cards at a time. You can go through the stock as many times as needed, with no limit on redeals.
Empty Tableau Spaces
When a tableau pile is empty, take the top card from the reserve and place it in that empty space. This opens up new moves and keeps the game flowing.
Demon Solitaire the British Name
In Britain, the same game is called Demon solitaire. The rules are identical. The name Demon may come from the game's challenging nature or its fast pace. Regardless of the name, the layout and rules remain the same: a reserve of 13 cards, 4 tableau piles, and foundations that build from a starting rank.
Canfield vs Klondike Key Differences
The differences are clear. Canfield Solitaire uses a reserve of 13 cards and a specific starting foundation card. Klondike uses a stock that is turned one card at a time, or three, and builds from an Ace. The tableau in Canfield has 4 piles, while Klondike has 7. The wrapping rule in Canfield also differs from Klondike's standard build.
- Canfield: 4 tableau piles, reserve of 13 cards, foundations start from a single card.
- Klondike: 7 tableau piles, stock turned one or three cards, foundations start from Ace.
Learn these differences before you deal, and you will not mix up the two games.