Askew Solitaire Strategy

Askew is an original Solavant game with influences from several types of solitaire. It's a good thinking game - the unusual rules keep your brain working to remember what goes where.

Eight cards are dealt to the tableau in two groups of four. Each group has its own unique building rules. This keeps the tableau unbalanced and "askew".

The group on the left is built downward in alternating color. This group is the looser of the two, allowing for lots of different cards to be built. Also, covered cards can be moved within this group.

The group on the right is stricter. With cards build downward in suit only, it's more difficult to build here. Plus, only the end cards can be moved.

The objective of Askew is a standard one: build all cards into four ascending, in-suit foundation piles from Ace to King.

Askew strategy

You will have to use both the right and left groups to win. The looser and easier left group does not have enough columns to do the job by itself. Concentrate on the right group, it is the primary problem area. If you can build a lot of cards into the right side, you're almost certain to win.

This isn't easy, however. You also have to get cards out of the stock, the secondary problem area. The foundations can be blocked if low cards get buried in the waste pile beneath high cards. Get the low cards out to prevent this. You'll find yourself moving cards between the left and right groups quite often, trying to make a place for each stock card.

Note that empty spaces in either group can hold any card. This is very helpful when moving cards around. Sometimes leaving an empty space in the right side is a better strategy than filling the space. It depends on the situation and what you feel is best. However, it's usually not a good idea to leave two empty spaces in the right group. Your chances of winning are better with more cards built to the right.

Final Askew thoughts

Even though Askew is a closed game because of the unseen cards in the stock, it is still very strategic. Getting the right and left sides arranged to hold a stock card is an interesting puzzle that you'll have to deal with nearly every time you turn a card from the stock. I believe the game has just enough wiggle room to make nearly all shuffles winnable with careful play. And it's good brain exercise trying to keep the rules of the left and right tableau groups straight.

Comments

[Anthony Sigalas]

Hey, nice. Now I am obsessed with Askew after a heavy monthly session of 184 games of Alhambra (with only one win) ;~( I think Askew offers a nice balance of strategy/luck to get you hooked.

[Tom Cain]

Anthony, how is your Askew session going? Hopefully you've gotten more than one win, it isn't as hard as Alhambra. Are you going in alphabetical order? :)

[Anthony Sigalas]

Hi Tom, right now I have 51 wins in 72 games of Askew, hehe. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Alhambra is for when I feel TOO good about my self and Askew helps me with my low self-esteem :P And yes I'm going in Alphabetical order, but your posts on new games help me unstuck and explore new territory :-D