Solitaire
Card game genre of arranging or pairing cards, often for one player.
Solitaire, also known as patience or card solitaire, is a genre of card games whose common feature is arranging cards in systematic order or pairing them off to discard. Most are intended for a single player, but there are varieties for two or more players. The earliest recorded name is 'patience', deriving from the games being seen as an exercise in patience, while 'solitaire' became common in North America during the 20th century.
- earliest_recorded_name
- Patience
- common_card_size
- 67 x 42 mm
- primary_aims
- Building sequences, pairing, totalling
Lore & Background
Solitaire is probably of German or Scandinavian origin, with the earliest records appearing there in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The game became popular in France in the early 19th century, reaching Britain and America in the latter half.
Reader's Guide
Solitaire holds significance as a genre of card games that has evolved over centuries, with its earliest recorded name being 'patience'. The term 'solitaire' became dominant in North America during the 20th century, though British scholar David Parlett argues for preferring 'patience' because it refers specifically to card games, while 'solitaire' may also refer to domino or peg games. The genre includes games of skill, chance, or a combination, with three main aims: building sequences, pairing cards, or totalling values. Most solitaires are for a single player, but some accommodate two or more. Solitaire's legacy includes its connection to cartomancy and its widespread cultural presence, notably the game Klondike, which is often simply called 'solitaire' worldwide.
Did You Know?
- The name 'patience' derives from the games being seen as an exercise in patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Solitaire as a card-game genre?
Solitaire refers to a family of card games in which a player arranges or pairs cards in a set order to clear the table, most often played alone. Hundreds of distinct variants exist, though a few are designed for two or more players.
Why do some people call it 'Patience' instead of 'Solitaire'?
'Patience' is the older name, rooted in the idea that the games were a test of a player's patience. 'Solitaire' (French for 'alone') overtook it in North America during the twentieth century, but the older term still shows up in British and European usage.
What size cards do solitaire games use?
Nearly all solitaire variants are built around the standard 67 × 42 mm playing-card size, the same dimensions you find in poker and bridge decks. That means any ordinary deck you already own will work without modification.
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