Kings Corner Card Game | Kings Card Game Rules

Playing cards rank among the most popular hobbies worldwide. Whether engaging in a friendly game of poker with friends or participating in a competitive round at a beachside casino, cards are often associated with critical thinking, logical analysis, and a degree of mathematical skill. Playing cards extends beyond a mere enjoyable pastime.

Solitaire stands as one of the simplest card games in existence. A highly renowned variant of solitaire goes by the name of Kings Corner or Kings in the Corner. While the rules of this game differ slightly from traditional Solitaire, they are not excessively complex. Below, we present a comprehensive guide to the Kings card game or the Kings in the Corner card game that would help you understand the mechanics of the game. Kings in the Corner, or Kings Corner, is played with a standard deck of cards and 2 to 4 players. The goal is for each player to empty their hand before their opponent does. It’s a great way to learn the basic rules of Solitaire, as the gameplay is similar.

Kings Corner Card Game Set-Up

The Kings Corner or the Kings in the Corner card game has been designed for 2-4 players, requiring fewer players due to its unique rules.

Deck: A complete deck of cards is used, excluding the Jokers.

Card Ranking: The scoring order for the Kings corner card game goes as follows: King or K, Queen or Q, Jack or J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace.

The Objective of The Kings Corner Card Game

The objective of the Kings in the Corner game is to strategically get rid of all your cards in a descending sequence order, with each card having an alternate suit. In this game, Ace is considered the lowest card, unlike in many other card games.

Who Wins Kings Corner?

The player who successfully discards all their cards first becomes the winner of the Kings in the Corner card game.

Gameplay of Kings Corner Card Game

• Each player gets 7 cards at the start of the game.
• The remaining cards form a reserve pile in the centre of the table.
• The top 4 cards from the reserve pile are flipped and placed in each cardinal direction (north, south, east, and west) to serve as the foundational columns, arranged in a crisscross pattern.
• The game begins with the player to the dealer’s left drawing one card from the reserve pile.
• During their turn, a player can make as many valid moves as possible to eliminate cards from their hand.
• When a player finishes their turn with no more eligible moves, the next player starts their turn.

How to Play Kings in the Corner | How Do You Play Kings Corner Card Game?

Deal Cards: Each player is dealt seven cards at the beginning of the game. The remaining cards form a stockpile in the centre of the table.

Foundation Piles: Flip the top four cards from the stockpile and place one on each side of the deck: north, south, east, and west. These cards serve as foundation piles, arranged in the shape of a cross.

Starting Player: The player to the left of the dealer starts the game by drawing one card from the centre stockpile.

Taking Turns: During a player’s turn, they draw one card from the centre stockpile and attempt to make as many valid moves as possible to reduce the cards in their hand.

Valid Moves in Kings Corner Card Game:

Foundation Pile Play: Cards (or sequences of cards) can be played on a foundation pile in the cross. To play on a foundation pile, the card played must be one rank lower than the foundation card and of the opposite colour (red or black). For example, if a 10♥ is on the foundation pile, the next card played must be 9♣ or 9♠. Sequences of cards can also be played, but they must follow the rank and colour rules. Aces are always the lowest cards.

King in the Corner: Kings are the only cards allowed in the corner spaces created by the cross. Once a King is played, other cards can be placed on that pile as with any other foundation pile.

Moving Foundation Piles: If the bottom card of a recipient foundation pile and the top card of a moving pile form a valid sequence, the entire foundation pile can be moved onto the recipient pile. This often occurs when the cards are first dealt.

Vacated Foundation Pile: In the case of the vacated foundation pile, any card or sequence of cards can be played on a foundation pile that’s been vacated.

Rules of Kings Corner Card Game | Kings Card Game Rules

Player Turns: Players can continue making legal plays as long as they are able to do so. When a player is unable or unwilling to make further moves, they call “pass,” and the turn passes to the next player.

Empty Hand Dismissal: If a player has no plays available, they can dismiss their turn without adding any moves to the game.

Winning the Game: The game is won by the first player to drop their final card onto the centre of the table. The remaining players score points based on the cards they are left with, in their hands.

What Are the Scoring Rules for Kings in The Corner? | Kings Card Game Rules (Scoring)

• Each remaining King in a player’s hand is worth ten points.
• Each remaining non-King card in a player’s hand is worth one point.

Hand Passing: After each round, the hand is passed to the player on the last dealer’s direct left.

Game Completion: The game ends when any player reaches a predetermined limit, usually 25 points. The player having the lowest score at that point becomes the winner. In case of a tie, the players with the same low score are considered co-winners.

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Playing Kings: If a player has any Kings in their hand, they can play them immediately. Kings are placed on the sides, aligning with the four main foundation piles, and act as the starting point for new structures where other players can play cards.

Playing Non-King Cards on Foundation Piles: If a player holds a card of the opposite colour that ranks lower than a card currently at the top of any foundation pile on the board, they can play it on the relevant foundation pile. The foundation piles are then built in descending order, with black and red cards alternated.

Moving Complete Piles: If the bottom card of one foundation pile ranks next to the topmost card of another foundation pile, the player can move the complete pile to form one long, downward, colour-alternating sequence.

Vacant Foundation Piles: When any of the four main foundation piles becomes vacant (no cards in that spot) due to previous actions, a player can play any card they want in that empty spot.

Variations of Kings in the Corner Card Game

Scoring Variation

Similar to the usual game, but after a player completes their final hand, the remaining cards in their opponents’ hands are scored.

Drawing Order

• The main difference in this variant is the timing when a player draws a card from the stack.
• Players don’t draw at the beginning of their turn. Instead, they start playing cards on the board right away.
• When they run out of cards to play, they draw a card from the pool to finish their turn.
• If a player manages to play all the remaining cards from their hand during their turn, they do not have to draw, and they are declared the winner of the round with an immediate tally of points.

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Mandatory Kings

• Players must play a King to one of the accessible corners on their first round of play if they have a King in their hand.
• If a player draws a King from the foundation pile during their turn, they must also play the King immediately.
• Each round is considered a full game, and the player who gets rid of the rest of their hand first becomes the winner.

Colour Swap

In this challenging variation, the colours of the dealt cards must alternate while forming sequences, whether increasing or decreasing.
For example, a black card must be followed by a red card and a red card must be followed by a black card.

King in the Corners Solitaire

• This is a 1 player variant of Kings in the Corner card game.
• The player mixes the cards well and sets up a layout similar to the regular game, forming a “plus sign” pattern with five foundation piles facing up.
• The player’s objective is to play off the entire deck into the 4 foundation piles, starting with King and going down to Ace.
• The foundation piles are arranged in increasing order, starting with Ace and working up to King, while the piles in the “plus sign” pattern are arranged in decreasing order, starting with King and working down to Ace.

Kings Card Game Rules Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cards do you start with on Kings Corner?

The game starts with a total of 7 cards being dealt to each player.

How many players can participate in Kings Corner Card Game?

Kings Corner can accommodate 2 to 6 players, making it a versatile game for various group sizes.

Can you stack cards of the same rank and colour in Kings Corner?

No, you can only stack cards of the same rank and alternating colour in Kings Corner.

Can Two People Play Kings Corner?

Yes, the game can be played between 2 to 4 players.

Is there a time limit for making a move in Kings Corner?

No, there is no time limit. Players can take as much time as needed to strategize their moves.

Can you play Kings Corner with a modified deck?

While it’s best to use a standard 52-card deck, you can try modified versions if all players agree on the rules beforehand.

Is Kings Corner a game of luck or skill?

Kings Corner is primarily a game of skill, as players must use strategic thinking to outmanoeuvre their opponents.

What happens if the draw pile runs out?

If the draw pile is exhausted and no player can make a move, the game ends. The player with the fewest cards left in their hand is declared the winner.

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