Late-Stock Josephine Solitaire Strategy: When It Pays to Continue
The end of the stock rewards patience and punishes hope. Eighteen positions on when a line is still worth working and when a buried card has already ended it.
Once you have made your midgame decisions, the final part of the stock is usually straightforward, though not automatic. When your foundations are moving and empty tableau piles remain available, use that advantage to keep uncovering cards. When the tableau is blocked but can be repaired with one or two moves, continue working the position. If an essential card has been buried in the waste and there is no redeal, stop chasing that line.
Keep Moving When You Are Still in a Strong Position
If you still have an empty tableau pile, playable waste cards and accessible foundation cards late in the stock, continue making every useful move before turning the next card.
Position 1Staying in a Strong Position
Example
| Waste | 8♣ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 9♣ |
| Pile B | 7♣ |
| Pile C | Empty |
| Club Foundation | A♣ through 6♣ |
Situation: You created an empty pile in the middle of the game and kept the club cards available. Late in the stock, the 8 of clubs appears on the waste.
Analysis: The 8 can move onto the 9. The 7 can then move onto the 8. This protects the waste card while keeping the empty pile available.
Action: Move the 8 onto the 9, followed by the 7 onto the 8.
After the moves
| Pile A | 9♣-8♣-7♣ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Pile C | Empty |
Pause When You Are Not Sure a Foundation Move Helps
If you are uncertain whether a card is more valuable on the foundation or in the tableau, wait. If the card can support the current waste card or help empty a pile, keep it in play.
Position 2Delaying the Foundation Move
Example
| Diamond Foundation | A♦ through 7♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 9♦ |
| Pile B | 8♦ |
| Waste | 7♦ |
Situation: You can move the 8 of diamonds to the foundation. However, the second 7 of diamonds is on the waste.
Analysis: Moving the 8 to the foundation removes the only available destination for the waste 7. Keeping the 8 in the tableau allows the 7 to remain in play.
Action: Move the 8 onto the 9, then move the waste 7 onto the 8. Send the cards to the foundations later.
After the moves
| Pile A | 9♦-8♦-7♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
Stop Chasing When the Position Is Dead
If the card required to continue a foundation or tableau sequence has already been buried in the waste, and there is no way to reach it again, stop holding spaces open for that line.
Position 3Dead Position 1
Example
| Current Waste | Q♥ |
|---|---|
| Buried Waste Card | K♥ |
| Empty Piles | None |
| Heart Foundations | Both below J♥ |
Situation: The King of hearts appeared earlier but was covered before it could be played. The Queen of hearts is now on top of the waste.
Analysis: The Queen cannot move onto the buried King. The heart foundations are not ready, and there is no empty pile.
Action: Turn over the next stock card. Do not break useful tableau sequences to chase a line that is already dead.
Position 4Dead Position 2
Example
| Current Waste | 5♣ |
|---|---|
| Buried Waste Card | 4♣ |
| Club Foundation | A♣-2♣-3♣ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: The 4 of clubs was covered earlier. The 5 of clubs now appears, but the foundation cannot accept it.
Analysis: The 5 cannot move until the 4 reaches the foundation. Since the 4 is buried in the waste and there is no redeal, this foundation line is blocked.
Action: Turn the stock. Do not save the 5 at the expense of a stronger part of the tableau.
Continue When the Best Sequence Misses One Reachable Card
If you built the strongest same-suit sequence in the middle of the game but still need one connecting card, continue working the position when that card can be uncovered.
Position 5Reachable Spade Sequence
Example
| Pile A | J♠-10♠-9♠ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | 8♠-4♦ |
| Pile C | 7♠ |
| Diamond Foundation | A♦-2♦-3♦ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: You built a strong Jack-high spade sequence, but the 8 of spades is blocked by the 4 of diamonds.
Analysis: The 4 can move to its foundation. The 8 can then move onto the 9, followed by the 7 onto the 8.
Action: Continue with the sequence because the missing card is only one move away.
After the moves
| Pile A | J♠-10♠-9♠-8♠-7♠ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Diamond Foundation | A♦-2♦-3♦-4♦ |
Position 6Reachable Heart Sequence
Example
| Pile A | 10♥-9♥-8♥ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | 7♥-3♣ |
| Pile C | 6♥ |
| Club Foundation | A♣-2♣ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: You have a strong heart sequence, but the 7 is blocked by the 3 of clubs.
Analysis: Move the 3 to its foundation. Move the 7 onto the 8, followed by the 6 onto the 7.
Action: Continue working the sequence. The required cards are still reachable.
After the moves
| Pile A | 10♥-9♥-8♥-7♥-6♥ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Pile C | Empty |
Decide Whether the Position Is Dead Near the End of the Stock
When a useful waste card cannot be played, first decide whether its destination is still reachable. Abandon the line if the destination has already passed into the waste. Save the card when the destination can still be uncovered from the tableau.
Position 7Live Waste Line
Example
| Waste | 6♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 8♦ |
| Pile B | 7♦-3♠ |
| Spade Foundation | A♠-2♠ |
Situation: The 6 of diamonds cannot be played immediately, but the 7 is blocked by only one card.
Analysis: The destination remains reachable. Move the 3 of spades to its foundation, move the 7 onto the 8 and then move the waste 6 onto the 7.
Action: Save the 6 because the line is still alive.
After the moves
| Pile A | 8♦-7♦-6♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Spade Foundation | A♠-2♠-3♠ |
Position 8Dead Waste Line
Example
| Waste | 9♠ |
|---|---|
| Buried Waste Card | 10♠ |
| Tableau | No available 10♠ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: The 10 of spades was covered earlier. The 9 of spades is now on top of the waste.
Analysis: There is no available destination for the 9, and the required 10 is trapped beneath the waste.
Action: Turn over the next stock card. The line is dead.
Position 9Repairable Mistake
Example
| Waste | 7♥ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 9♥ |
| Pile B | 8♥-5♣ |
| Club Foundation | A♣-2♣-3♣-4♣ |
| Stock | Only a few cards remain |
Situation: You should have uncovered the 8 earlier but continued turning the stock. The 7 of hearts is now in danger of being buried.
Analysis: The 8 is still reachable because the 5 of clubs can move to its foundation.
Action: Move the 5, uncover the 8 and complete the 9-8-7 sequence. Since you can still repair the mistake, continue.
Position 10Unrepairable Mistake
Example
| Waste | 7♥ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 9♥ |
| Buried Waste Card | 8♥ |
| Stock | Only a few cards remain |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: You should have played the 8 earlier but allowed it to be buried in the waste. The 7 now appears.
Analysis: If the second 8 of hearts is not available in the tableau, the 7 has no destination.
Action: Turn the stock. Do not damage another suit to chase the blocked heart sequence.
How to Play When the Waste and Tableau Are Both Blocked
Position 11Use an Empty Pile to Reorganize the Tableau
Example
| Waste | 6♣ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 8♣ |
| Pile B | 7♣-4♦ |
| Diamond Foundation | A♦-2♦-3♦ |
| Pile C | Empty |
Situation: The 6 of clubs cannot move because the 7 is blocked. The player has one empty tableau pile.
Analysis: The empty pile allows the waste card to remain available while the 4 of diamonds is moved.
Action: Move the 6 of clubs into the empty pile. Move the 4 of diamonds to its foundation. Move the 7 onto the 8, followed by the 6 onto the 7.
After the moves
| Pile A | 8♣-7♣-6♣ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Pile C | Empty |
Position 12Keep the Empty Pile Open When the Waste Card Has No Future
Example
| Waste | K♦ |
|---|---|
| Tableau | No available Q♦ |
| Pile A | Empty |
| Stock | Only a few cards remain |
Situation: The King of diamonds can move into the empty pile, but neither Queen of diamonds is available or close to being uncovered.
Analysis: The King will block your final working space and create no additional move.
Action: Keep the pile empty and turn the stock.
How to Play When the Waste Is Bad but the Tableau Improves
Position 13Continue With a Near-Complete Foundation Sequence
Example
| Waste | K♣ |
|---|---|
| Club Foundation | A♣ through Q♣ |
| Tableau | One empty pile |
Situation: The waste card is high, but it is the final card required by the club foundation.
Analysis: The King completes one of the eight foundations and removes itself from the waste.
Action: Move the King to the foundation.
Position 14Continue After Committing to a Long Sequence
Example
| Waste | Q♠ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | K♠ |
| Pile B | J♠-10♠-9♠ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: You built the J-10-9 sequence earlier. The Queen now appears in the waste.
Analysis: Move the Queen onto the King, then move the J-10-9 sequence onto the Queen. The earlier sequence remains useful and another pile becomes empty.
Action: Complete the sequence before turning the stock.
After the moves
| Pile A | K♠-Q♠-J♠-10♠-9♠ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
How to Play When the Stock and Tableau Both Look Bad
Position 15A Low Foundation Card Is Worth Saving
Example
| Waste | 4♥ |
|---|---|
| Heart Foundation | A♥-2♥-3♥ |
| Tableau | No empty piles |
Situation: The tableau is blocked, but the waste card can move directly to its foundation.
Analysis: The 4 of hearts advances the foundation and may allow the 5 and 6 of hearts to move later.
Action: Move the 4 to the foundation.
Position 16Stop When the Required Lower Card Is Gone
Example
| Waste | 6♠ |
|---|---|
| Spade Foundation | A♠-2♠-3♠-4♠ |
| Buried Waste Card | 5♠ |
| Empty Piles | None |
Situation: The 5 of spades was covered earlier. The 6 cannot reach the foundation and has no tableau destination.
Analysis: The foundation line is blocked and the 6 may already be dead.
Action: Turn the stock. Do not sacrifice an important emptying move to hold the 6.
How to Play When You Turn Over a Good Card Late
Position 17Complete a Long Diamond Sequence
Example
| Waste | 7♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile A | 10♦-9♦-8♦ |
| Pile B | 6♦ |
| Pile C | 5♦ |
Situation: The 7 of diamonds appears late in the stock. The tableau already contains the cards above and below it.
Analysis: The 7 completes the connection between the 8 and 6. Playing all the cards creates a six-card sequence and empties two piles.
Action: Move the 7 onto the 8, followed by the 6 and 5.
After the moves
| Pile A | 10♦-9♦-8♦-7♦-6♦-5♦ |
|---|---|
| Pile B | Empty |
| Pile C | Empty |
How to Play When You Uncover a Duplicate Late
Position 18Use a Duplicate to Build a Strong Tableau Sequence
Example
| Heart Foundation One | A♥ through 7♥ |
|---|---|
| Heart Foundation Two | A♥ through 5♥ |
| Pile A | 8♥ |
| Pile B | 6♥ |
| Waste | 8♥ |
| Pile C | 9♥ |
Situation: One 8 of hearts can move to the first foundation. The second 8 can remain in the tableau.
Analysis: Move the waste 8 onto the 9 of hearts. Move the tableau 6 to the second foundation when the second 7 becomes available. Keep both heart lines open.
Action: Use one copy for foundation progress and the other as a tableau support.
Play out a stock
Deal a game and make yourself justify the last ten cards you turn.
Play Josephine Solitaire