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How to Play the "Queen of Italy" Solitaire, also known as "Terrace". Rules, Setup, and Strategy.

The Queen of Italy, also known as Terrace Solitaire, offers a thoughtful challenge for anyone who enjoys strategic card games. It uses two standard decks and requires careful planning from the very first move. To play Queen of Italy Solitaire, a player selects a base card at the start and works to build eight foundation piles in ascending order by alternating colors.

This solitaire variation stands out because it allows the player to choose the foundations starting rank, adding a layer of decision-making that affects the entire game. Each move demands attention, as the layout and reserve cards can either open paths or block progress.

With its mix of chance and skill, Queen of Italy Solitaire rewards patience and foresight. Learning its structure and flow makes the experience more predictable and satisfying, setting the stage for mastering one of the more strategic games in the solitaire family.

Queen of Italy (Terrace) Solitaire Rules and Setup

Objective of the Game

The goal is to move all cards to the eight foundation piles. Each foundation builds up in alternating colours from the base card to the rank just below the base card.

Players must make strategic decisions early, as the base rank determines the order of all foundations. For example, if the base card is a 7, foundations will build upward: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Winning requires freeing and playing cards in the correct sequence while avoiding deadlocks in the tableau or reserve. Because no redeal occurs, careful observation and planning are essential throughout the game.

Deck and Layout

Queen of Italy uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total). The layout includes several distinct areas:

Area	Description
Foundations	8 piles built up in alternating colours from the chosen base card.
Tableau	9 piles built down in alternating colours.
Reserve	A row of 11 cards placed face up at the start.
Stock and Waste	The remaining cards form a stock; one card is turned to start the waste pile.

The tableau is the main area for manoeuvring cards. Only the top card of each pile is available for play. Empty tableau spaces can be filled with any card. The reserve provides visible information that helps guide the choice of base rank and the order of play.

Initial Deal

After shuffling both decks, eleven cards are dealt face up in a single row to form the reserve. Then four face-up cards are dealt to the tableau piles. The remaining cards are placed face down as the stock.

Before play begins, examine the reserve and tableau to decide which rank will serve as the foundation base. The chosen rank is placed in the first foundation pile, and the other foundations follow the same sequence.

Once the base is set, one card from the stock can be dealt to the waste pile. Play begins by building on the tableau, moving cards to foundations, and drawing from the stock when no further moves are available.

Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Queen of Italy Solitaire

How to Move Cards

Cards move according to standard solitaire principles. Only the top card of any pile, reserve, or waste can be played. Tableau piles build down in alternating colors (e.g., red on black). Empty tableau spaces are filled from the waste or stock, not from the reserve.

A player may move a single card at a time, not sequences. This restriction increases difficulty and requires foresight. When no moves remain, the player draws from the stock to the waste pile and continues play until all cards are built onto foundations or no further moves exist.

Building Foundations

There are eight foundation piles, two for each suit. Players build these piles up in alternating colours, starting from the chosen base rank. For example, if the base is a 6, the next card must be a 7 of the opposite colour, continuing up the rank just below the base card, until each pile contains thirteen cards.

The table below summarises foundation building:

Rule	Description
Starting Rank	Chosen from four initial cards
Sequence	Ascending order, alternating colour
Wrap-Around	King follows Ace if needed
Goal	Move all cards to foundations

Each foundation pile must contain thirteen cards to complete the game. Since the base rank varies each play, strategy depends on early identification of key cards buried in the terrace or tableau.

Reserve (terrace) Row Strategies

The reserve is the defining feature of this game. It displays eleven overlapping cards, all visible but only the top card is playable. Managing this row effectively determines success.

Players should prioritise freeing cards that unlock sequences or foundation cards. Early moves that expose multiple playable options increase flexibility later. Because the reserve cannot be replenished, each decision carries weight.

Observing suits and ranks before each move helps identify which plays open the most opportunities. Careful planning of reserve moves often separates a completed game from one that stalls.