Only fan tops can move
All cards are visible, but only the exposed end card of a fan is available. A legal tableau move places that single card on the next higher rank of the same suit; packed sequences never move together.
La Belle Lucie
Build all four suited foundations upward from Ace to King.
How to play
Build all four suited foundations upward from Ace to King.
- The deck forms seventeen fans of three cards and one fan of one, all face up.
- Move one exposed card onto the next higher card of the same suit or onto its suited foundation.
- Empty fans stay closed; when no normal move remains, reshuffle the tableau up to two times.
Strategy tips
- Do not cover a low suited card needed by its foundation.
- Compare which fan top will be revealed before choosing between two same-rank moves.
- Use a reshuffle only after every legal foundation and tableau move is exhausted.
Complete guide
Rules, scoring, and strategy
La Belle Lucie is a fan patience game using seventeen three-card fans and one final single card. Exposed cards build down by suit, empty fans close, and two reshuffles remain available after ordinary play stops.
Empty fans are closed
After the last card leaves a fan, no card may refill that position. Removing a complete fan therefore exposes cards but permanently reduces the number of tableau destinations.
Foundations rise by suit
Aces start the four foundations as they become exposed, followed by Twos through Kings of the same suit. Foundation progress is permanent, so it should release rather than conceal the mobility needed elsewhere.
Two reshuffles, only when blocked
When no ordinary tableau or foundation move remains, the remaining tableau cards may be deterministically reshuffled into new fans. At most two reshuffles are available, and this edition does not include a separate merci move.
Questions players ask
Can a sequence of cards move together?
No. La Belle Lucie allows only one exposed card to move at a time.
When may I use a reshuffle?
A reshuffle is available only when no normal tableau or foundation move remains, and no more than two may be used.
Can an empty fan be filled again?
No. Once a fan becomes empty, that tableau position stays closed.
Related games
FreeCellUse four open cells to reorganize a fully visible deal and build every suit onto its foundation.Beleaguered CastleBuild four suited foundations from a fully exposed eight-column deal, using empty columns and rank-only tableau moves to free blocked cards.Four SeasonsBuild wrapping suited foundations from a random base rank around a five-card cross, with rank-only wrapping tableau piles.Cruel SolitaireBuild suited foundations from twelve four-card piles, using same-suit descents and order-preserving packet redeals to reopen the layout.
