Are you a fan of patience-type games? Diplomat is a great option. However, since it is not as renowned as the classic Solitaire, you may find my Diplomat card game rules helpful.
If you’re like me, you probably like to play card games more often than most of your friends and relatives.
When you cannot find a voluntary opponent, it’s time for some of the single-player card games such as Solitaire (check our Solitaire rules if you’re not familiar with this classic yet).
Today, I’d like to share the instructions for one of my favorite games from this category: Diplomat, also known as Diplomat Solitaire.
It’s easy but intriguing at the same time. The good news is that your chances of winning are statistically pretty high.
This Diplomat card game rules guide will cover the following:
- What is Diplomat?
- What you’ll need to play Diplomat
- Diplomat card game rules
- How to play the Diplomat card game (video tutorial)
- FAQs
- Other similar games to Diplomat (our guides)
Read on and learn how to play the Diplomat card game in a few simple steps.
What is Diplomat?
Diplomat is a two-deck solitaire-like card game for a single player. It is played in eight piles of four cards organized into a pair of so-called wings on every side of the eight foundations.
Number of Players: Single-player
Ages: 7+
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Length of Play: 10 – 45 minutes
Category: Patience-type sequence building card game
Similar to: Solitaire, Double Solitaire, Sequence,
Main Objective: Create complete runs of the matching suits from two card decks.
Why We Love It: Solitaire is a great game, but it can become dull if you play it too often. The Diplomat card game is a superb alternative that will keep you entertained.
What You’ll Need to Play Diplomat
If you want to play Diplomat, you only need two decks of 52 standard playing cards.
Diplomat Card Game Rules and Gameplay
If you’re familiar with Patience or Solitaire, Diplomat will feel very familiar. Still, there are some crucial differences you should know about before you start playing.
Starting the Game
First, shuffle both card decks together thoroughly. Now deal eight piles (foundations) with four slightly protruding face-up cards, each into two separated sections (four and four).
Keep eight spaces for the eight future foundations free (=four suites from two decks) between the two “wings” of piles.
Put the rest of your cards on the side as a draw pile.
How to Play Diplomat
You aim to build complete sequences of the identical suites from both involved decks. To do this, follow these rules and standards:
- You can move the top card from any pile to another pile or any of the foundations (the eight blank spaces we left free at the beginning).
- The sides’ piles must be built down by the suit (King to Ace), whereas the foundations’ sequences will be built up (from Ace to the King).
- You can only place a card on a pile if it’s one rank lower than the previous card.
- You can place a card on a foundation if it’s one rank higher than the previous card.
- In both cases, the cards must be of the same suit in every sequence you build.
- If you cannot move (or, for some reason, don’t want to make any possible move), turn over the top card from your draw pile.
- If you don’t use the cards, they remain on the so-called waste pile.
- When you run out of the draw pile, turn the waste pile over and use it as a draw pile.
Proceed this way until you successfully move all the cards onto the eight foundations, forming eight complete runs of matching suits.
Alternatively, you can get stuck and lose the game.
Diplomat Scoring
Like many other single-player games, Diplomat does not focus on collecting scores or points. Instead, you either win the game by moving all the cards into the runs – or you don’t.
How to Play Diplomat Card Game – Video Tutorial
Diplomat Card Game Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can you reset the draw pile in Diplomat?
You can reuse the waste pile as a draw pile as many times as needed in this game. However, you can still get stuck and run out of moves since you cannot shuffle it.
Isn’t Diplomat a chess game?
There are at least two games called Diplomat: One is a solitaire-type card game for a single player, whereas the other is a modern variation on the classic chess game.
What are your chances of winning the Diplomat card game?
Statistically, your chances to win Diplomat are about 2:3. In other words, you are more likely to win than lose.
Other Similar Games to Diplomat (Our Guides)
If you’re searching for more similar games, check out our guides to the following Diplomat card game alternatives.
- Solitaire rules
- Double Solitaire rules
- Kings in the Corner rules
- Spite and Malice card game rules
- Beleaguered Castle rules (guide coming soon)
- Forty Thieves (guide coming soon)
- Congress (guide coming soon)
