Kings in the corner rules

General Rules of Kings in the Corner

• The game is played with a standard 52-card deck (jokers are not used).
• Card ranking is Ace (low), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.
• The objective of the game is to be the first to play all your cards.
• Play proceeds clockwise.

Dealing

• Each player is dealt 7 cards.
• The remaining cards are placed face-down in the center as the draw pile.
• Then, the top four cards from the draw pile are turned face-up and placed above, below, to the left, and to the right of the pile, forming the foundation piles. Together, they create a cross-shaped layout. (See image below.)

Gameplay

• The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
• On your turn, draw one card from the draw pile, then try to play as many cards as possible from your hand.
  • You can play a card to a foundation pile if it is one rank lower and of the opposite color.
    For example, you may play a 9♣ or 9♠ on a 10♥, or a 6♥ or 6♦ on a 7♣.
  • You may play as many cards as possible during your turn. Once an Ace (the lowest card) is played, no more cards can be added to that pile.
  • If you have a King, you can place it in one of the four corner spaces of the layout. This becomes a new foundation pile where cards can be played. The game gets its name from this move, placing Kings in the corners. (See image below.)

  

  • Just like in solitaire, you can move entire piles if the top card of one pile fits on the bottom card of another pile (following the same rank and color rule). You may then start a new foundation pile in the empty space with any card from your hand.

Scoring in Kings in the Corner

The first player to play all their cards wins the round and earns 1 point. Typically, the game continues until a player reaches a pre-agreed number of points.