Monte Carlo Solitaire
A pairing puzzle on a 5×5 grid. Remove pairs of same-rank cards that touch each other horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. When pairs are removed, the remaining cards consolidate up and left, and the grid is refilled from the stock. Win by clearing the entire deck. Fast, geometric, oddly meditative — perfect for a coffee break.
How to Play Monte Carlo
- Deal 25 cards face-up into a 5×5 grid.
- The remaining 27 cards form the stock.
- Find two cards of the same rank that touch each other (orthogonally or diagonally adjacent). Remove the pair.
- Click "consolidate" or refill — remaining cards slide up-left to fill gaps in reading order, and the grid is topped up from the stock.
- Repeat until all 52 cards are paired off and removed.
3 Strategy Tips
- Plan pairs by remaining count. If you've removed three of the four Kings, the last King has no partner left in the deck. Don't get cornered.
- Sometimes don't pair. The consolidation step changes neighbors. A pair you can't see now might appear after consolidation — don't waste a setup move.
- Empty diagonals are valuable. After consolidation, diagonal neighbors are often the most flexible. Aim for diagonal adjacency when you have a choice.
FAQ
Is suit relevant?
No. Only rank matters — any two same-rank cards form a valid pair.
What's the win rate?
Strong play wins around 50%, making Monte Carlo one of the more forgiving pairing solitaires.
Why is it called Monte Carlo?
The name dates to 19th-century European solitaire compilations and likely refers to the French Riviera casino town — though the game itself is purely a luck-plus-tactics puzzle, not gambling.