How to Play Aces Up

Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: July 31, 2024 References

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Aces Up is "patience game", or card game that you can play by yourself. It's similar to Klondike Solitaire, but can be played on a much smaller surface. Deal your cards, play through the deck, and learn how to win. Then practice to get more comfortable with the rules and learn some basic strategy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dealing Your Cards

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One of the best things about Aces Up is that you can play it on a very small surface. If you're at home, any table or flat surface will do. While on the go, play the game on the back of a book, an in-flight tray, or even the top of your laptop.
While some solitaire games use more than one deck of cards, Aces Up only requires one standard 52 card deck. Buy a deck at the store or use one you've got around the house. Just make sure it has all 52 cards, or you won't be able to win. It's also possible to play online if you have a computer and access to the internet.^{[1]
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There are two main parts in the setup of Aces High: the tableau and the stock. Deal the tableau by placing four cards, face up, in a row. The remaining cards become the stock. Set it off the side, facedown.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing Through the Deck

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1
Look for two or more cards with the same suit. There's only one way to remove cards from the tableau: by finding two or more cards of the same suit, then removing the lower card. Look for pairs like a 2 of hearts and a 5 of hearts, then remove the 2 of hearts.^{[3]
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- For another example, with a tableau of (8♣, 9♦, 8♦, 5♥), 8♦ is removed because it is lower than 9♦.
- Remember the order of the cards. In this game, aces have the highest value, followed by Kings, Queens and Jacks. After the face cards, the numbered cards have descending value, with two being the smallest card.
- Place the removed cards in a new discard pile. You'll want the cards in a separate pile: don't place them at the bottom of the stock like some other card games.
When you run out of matching suited cards, deal out four more. Lay one on top of each row on the tableau, face up. This will display a whole new set of cards that you can match and remove.^{[4]
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Move cards onto empty spaces. If you remove a low card and it leaves an empty space behind, you're allowed to move an empty card onto this space. This will come in handy later, because lower cards often get stacked on top of higher cards of a same suit.^{[5]
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- Always try to move aces onto empty spaces. If an ace of any suit comes out of the stock and you end up with an empty space to put it on, move it right away. The goal of the game is to have only the aces remaining on the tableau, so they'll need to be on the bottom spaces.
Keep matching cards until you can't match any more, then deal four more cards. Move cards to empty spaces to create new openings when it's possible, always trying to move the aces to the bottom spaces. Keep playing until the stock runs out and there are no more available moves.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Winning the Game

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To win the game, you'll want to leave only aces on the table, with every other card discarded. The more you play, the more you will win, but keep in mind that games often end with cards of different suits on the tops of the stacks; this is the easiest way to know that you've lost.^{[6]
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Use some strategy. Aces Up is a simple game, so there's not much complex strategy to be applied. However, if you keep in mind the basics of the game, you're more likely to win more often. Use your empty spaces and move your aces as soon as possible.^{[7]
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- If you see a low card stacked on a higher card of the same suit, try to move the lower card to an empty space. For example, if you see a 7 of diamonds on top of a 9 of diamonds, move the 7 to an empty space and then remove it to the discard pile.
- Try moving aces to empty spots. When an empty space appears and you have an ace that's free to move to it, move the ace as soon as possible.
Aces up is a fast moving game, so each game takes only about 5-10 minutes. If your first one ends in a loss, reshuffle your cards and try again. The more practice you get, the more strategies you'll be able to develop.

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Is a Jack stronger than a 10?

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Yes, face cards have higher value than numbered cards. The card values, in descending order, are Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

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What if I have no matching cards on a full tableau, and can't match any?

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If there are no matching cards, whether the tableau is full or not, you should deal four more cards on top.

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If you deal 4 cards and one card is of higher value than the card below it ,can you take it out?

Kathryn Lemon

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No. In the game of Aces Up, the only cards that can be removed are those which are showing on the layer currently in play. If you want to expose the card below that one of higher value, you must move the other cards around in order to maneuver it there. This is part of the strategy of the game.

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Tips

This game is great for killing time.

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Don't get too frustrated if you don't win at first. Much of Aces Up involves luck, and the way the cards are dealt can end the game quickly. Play another game and continue practicing.

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