With the exception of the central ♥ K they serve as foundations to be built up in suit sequence to the Queens, the Aces ranking between the Kings and the 2s.

On each side of the foundations deal a column of four cards, as shown in the illustration. It is known as the divan, and the playing cards dealt to it are available to be built on the foundations.

When one is played, the space is filled either from the stock or from the waste heap, but need not be filled immediately.

The pack is turned one card at a time to a waste heap, and may be dealt three times.

Management of the divan is of great importance. The general poker rules is not to fill a space with a card that is unlikely to be wanted during the immediate deal.

If, for example, a foundation is built up to a 7, and both 8s are already buried, the 9s and higher cards should be played to the waste heap, because if used to fill a space in the divan they would be wasted.

Games for Five or More Players