Play Royal Cotillion Solitaire Online - Where Kings and Queens Dance

Royal Cotillion is a two-deck solitaire named after a formal ballroom dance. Its foundations build "by twos" instead of one rank at a time. The two wings follow different rules: the Ladies' side is strict, the Lords' side is free. That contrast gives the game its charm.

How to Play Royal Cotillion Solitaire

Objective: Move all 104 cards to the eight foundations. Each foundation builds up by twos in its suit until it holds 13 cards.

Game Setup

• Two decks: 104 cards in total.
• Foundations: Eight piles that start empty. Four take an Ace, four take a Two.
• Ladies' side (left): 12 cards in four columns of three.
• Lords' side (right): 16 cards in a four-by-four grid.
• Stock: The remaining 76 cards. Deal one card at a time to the waste. No redeal.

Foundation Building - The "By Twos" Rule

Ace foundations:

• A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K, then 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q.
• The pile starts with an Ace and jumps by twos. After the King it wraps to the evens.

Deuce foundations:

• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q, then A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K.
• The pile starts with a Two and jumps by twos. After the Queen it wraps to the odds.

Important: All foundation building is by suit. Hearts go on Hearts, Spades on Spades. A finished pile holds 13 cards.

The Dance Theme

• Kings and Queens: They finish the piles. A Queen ends each Ace pile, a King ends each Deuce pile.
• Ladies' side: The left wing, where the ladies wait.
• Lords' side: The right wing, where the lords stand.
• The dance: Cards step to the foundations in the by-twos pattern.

Tableau Rules - Ladies vs Lords

Neither wing allows building. Cards move from the wings to the foundations only.

Ladies' Side (Left - 12 Cards)

• Four columns of three cards each.
• Only the bottom card of each column is in play.
• Empty spaces are never filled. The side only shrinks.

Lords' Side (Right - 16 Cards)

• A four-by-four grid of single cards.
• Any card in the grid may be played.
• A gap refills at once from the waste. If the waste is empty, it refills from the stock.

Stock and Waste

• Click the stock to deal one card to the waste.
• Only the top waste card is in play.
• There is no redeal. You get one pass, so draw with care.

Winning Strategy Tips

• Memorize the two ladders. A-3-5-7-9-J-K and 2-4-6-8-10-Q.
• Clear the Ladies' side early. Its cards have no second chance.
• Use the Lords' freedom. Any grid card can go up at any time.
• Watch the refills. Playing a grid card pulls the waste top into its place.
• Build evenly. Keep all eight piles moving together.
• Draw slowly. Check both wings before each draw.

Advanced Techniques

Odd and Even Tracking

• Odd ranks: A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K. The Ace piles need these first.
• Even ranks: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q. The Deuce piles need these first.
• Each pile switches parity after its wrap. Track what each pile needs next.

Ladies' Side Planning

• Cards above the bottom are trapped until the column shrinks.
• Plan two or three plays ahead to avoid stranding key cards.
• Clearing a full column is pure profit.

Lords' Side Timing

• Gaps refill from the waste first.
• Play a grid card while a useful card waits on the waste. That stores it in the grid.
• The steady refills expose new cards all game long.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the wrap. K wraps to 2 on Ace piles. Q wraps to A on Deuce piles.
• Stranding Ladies' cards. Plan before you play from the left.
• Ignoring suits. Every foundation build is by suit.
• Racing through the stock. There is no redeal. A skipped card may be gone for good.

History of Royal Cotillion

Royal Cotillion appeared in the early 20th century, when formal balls were at their height. A cotillion was a grand social dance with set figures and strict manners. The card game mirrors that order. Kings and Queens complete the piles the way partners complete a figure.

Game Difficulty

• Learning curve: Moderate. The by-twos pattern takes practice.
• Average game time: 10 to 15 minutes.
• Pressure point: The single pass through the stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does "building by twos" work exactly?

You skip a rank on every step. An Ace pile runs A-3-5-7-9-J-K, then wraps to 2-4-6-8-10-Q. A Deuce pile runs 2-4-6-8-10-Q, then wraps to A-3-5-7-9-J-K. Both kinds finish with 13 cards.

Do the Aces and Twos start on the foundations?

No. The foundations start empty. Play Aces and Twos to them as they appear. Any Ace can start an Ace pile, and any Two can start a Deuce pile. Starting all eight early is a big part of winning.

Why can't I fill empty spaces on the Ladies' side?

That is the classic rule, and it drives the game's asymmetry. The Ladies' side only shrinks. Clearing its columns steadily cuts down the cards you must manage.

What happens when I take a card from the Lords' side?

The gap fills at once with the top waste card. If the waste is empty, the next stock card fills it instead. Check the waste before you play from the grid. The refill can help you or hurt you.

Do Kings and Queens end up together?

Yes! On Ace piles, the King is the 7th card and the Queen is the last. On Deuce piles, the Queen is the 6th card and the King is the last. They meet as the piles finish - hence the dance theme.

Can I move cards between the two sides?

No. There is no building on either wing. Wing cards go to the foundations only. The two sides meet nowhere but the dance floor.

How many times can I go through the stock?

Once. There is no redeal. When the stock is empty and nothing fits a foundation, the game ends.

Join the Royal Cotillion - where Kings and Queens dance in patterns of twos!