How Montana works
A sorting puzzle. You do not build piles; you move one card at a time into the gaps.
- Layout. The deck is dealt face up in four rows of thirteen. The four Aces are removed, leaving four gaps.
- Moving. Move a card into a gap if it is the same suit as the card to the left of the gap and one rank higher. A 2 may go in the first place of any row.
- Goal. Every row reads 2 to King in one suit, with the gap at the end.
- Redeals. Twice, click the stock slot. Correct runs at the left stay, and every other card is shuffled into the rest of the row.
Tips for Montana
- Start the rows. Put a 2 at the head of each row and build from there.
- Avoid dead gaps. A gap after a King is lost. Do not leave gaps there if you can help it.
- Think before you redeal. The longer the correct runs, the more a redeal helps.
- Use Undo. It is unlimited, so test a line and come back.
More games to try
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Montana solitaire?
The cards are dealt in four rows of thirteen and the Aces are taken out, leaving four gaps. You may move a card into a gap only if it is the same suit as the card on the gap's left and exactly one rank higher. A 2 of any suit can go in the first place of a row.
How do you win Montana?
Arrange every row as 2, 3, 4 up to King in one suit, from left to right, with the gap at the far right.
Why can I not fill the gap after a King?
Nothing is higher than a King, so no card can ever follow it. Gaps after a King are dead. That is why the game is hard.
What does the redeal do?
Click the stock slot to keep every correct run at the left of its row, leave a gap after it, and shuffle all the other cards back into the rest of the row. You get two redeals.
Do the rows need different suits?
Yes, and the suits can be in any order. Each row ends up holding one suit.
Can every deal be won?
No. Montana is a hard game and many deals are blocked, which is why the redeals are there.