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The best one player card game that I know, was one that was taught to me many years ago by my great uncle. In fact I still play it today and it always has me gritting my teeth and scratching my head. This game may have other names, but I have never come across it anywhere else. So for now, it will be known as Chinese Patience.

Chinese patience is played with one deck of cards, with all jokers removed. It is much simpler than Solitaire, in that it doesn't require as much space for it's layout.

One simply shuffles the deck and lays down three rows of three cards, face up.

Once the initial nine cards are laid down, then the idea of the game is to start finding two cards from any suit, that add up to thirteen. For example: A seven and a six will add up to thirteen, as will a ten and a three, or a five and an eight.
Incidently, the aces are worth eleven just so that the twos will have some company.

Now, when a pair of cards that add up to thirteen are spotted, the game gets under way and one must cover them up with fresh cards from the deck. In other words, the purpose of the game, is to keep on finding as many combinations as possible in order to reduce the cards in one's hand, to zero.

What about the court cards? Well, when one comes across a set of Royal cards; Jack, Queen and King (any suit), then they must be covered up as well. But, be careful not to exceed the limit and cover all four combinations of court cards before the game is done, otherwise the final out come will not add up at all.

There is no cheating in this game, as you will only have yourself to answer to and besides, if and when the cards are exhausted from your hand, there should be three court cards remaining, accompanied by three sets of cards that add up to thirteen. That's the way it is and that's the way it should be, otherwise you ain't doin' it right!

I know this game of Chinese patience sounds very easy and you may be thinking, "Why on earth should I waste my time on such a simple set up?" My answer to you is, "Try it and see." For I guarantee you that this game will give you, either minutes of glory or hours of frustration. But, remember to shuffle thoroughly or the odds of winning will be decreased.

Learn more about this author, Jon Coe.
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