How to Play Kings in the Corner

Kings in the Corner is a timeless favorite that can be learned in just a few minutes and played with 2–4 people. It’s perfect for a casual get-together or a relaxing night in—no complicated setups or big budgets required!

Brief Game Overview

Kings in the Corner is a card-laying game where you try to get rid of all your cards first. You do this by playing onto “foundation piles” in descending order, alternating between red and black cards, and making clever use of corner spots reserved for Kings. The game is straightforward, yet offers enough strategy to keep it interesting for players of all ages.

Getting Started – What You’ll Need

Essential Materials

• A Standard 52-Card Deck (Jokers removed)
• 2 to 4 Players (ideal for small groups)
• Flat Surface (table, desk, or floor)

Budget Tip: You can find basic decks of cards for just a few dollars anywhere—from grocery stores to gas stations. For a splash of personality, consider a decorative or themed deck.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Play the Game

Setup

1. Deal the Cards
   • Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
   • Deal 7 cards to each player.
   • Place the remaining deck face down in the center—this is your draw pile.
2. Create the Foundation
   • From the top of the draw pile, flip 4 cards face up and place them in a cross shape around the draw pile. These face-up cards form your initial foundation piles.
3. Determine Starting Player
   • Pick a player to go first—do it randomly (cut the deck to see who gets the highest card) or by simple agreement.

Gameplay 

Objective

Be the first to empty your hand by placing all your cards onto the foundation piles or into the corner spots (with Kings).

Turn Sequence (Clockwise)

1. Draw One Card
   • At the start of your turn, draw the top card from the draw pile.
2. Play onto Foundation Piles
   • Place cards from your hand onto any foundation pile in descending sequence (e.g., 8 → 7 → 6) while alternating colors (red, black, red, black, etc.).
3. Use the Kings
   • If you have a King in your hand, start a new corner pile with it. These corner spots are separate from the original four foundation piles.
4. End of Turn
   • If you cannot play any card, you pass your turn (no card is discarded).
   • The next player proceeds with their turn.

Keep repeating these steps until someone empties their hand.

Scoring & Winning

• When a player runs out of cards, they win the round.
• For a more competitive edge, assign penalty points to each player for the cards left in their hand. Once you’ve played several rounds, the player with the lowest total penalty wins the overall game.

Secrets to Win Kings in the Corner

• Plan Your Sequences: Before placing a card, see if you can free up spaces by moving multiple foundation piles.
• Be Aware of Colors: Alternating red/black is key, so keeping track of the suits in your hand will help you spot potential moves faster.
• Save Those Kings Strategically: Don’t rush to place a King too soon; sometimes waiting allows you to create more strategic sequences.

Variations & House Rules

• More Than 4 Players: While 2–4 is standard, you could add a second deck for bigger groups. Adjust the initial layout or deal fewer cards if needed.
• Tie-Breakers: If two players finish their cards at the same time, decide if it’s a tie or base the win on who made the last valid move.
• Time Limit on Turns: To keep the pace brisk, enforce a short timer—like 30 seconds or a minute—so no one player slows the game down.

Troubleshooting

• Running Out of Draw Pile Cards: If the draw pile is depleted and no one can play, reshuffle discarded cards to form a new draw pile.

• Stalemates: Encourage players to focus on strategic placements to avoid reaching a point where no one can make a move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Kings in the Corner be played with more than four players? A: While the game is best with 2 to 4 players, you can modify the rules to accommodate more. Consider using multiple decks for larger groups.

Q: What happens if two players finish their cards simultaneously? A: In such cases, the game can be declared a tie, or you can determine the winner based on who made the last valid move.

Q: Is there a time limit for each turn? A: There’s no official time limit, but setting one can keep the game moving at a brisk pace.

The Final Shuffle

Kings in the Corner is a simple yet strategic card game that lets you enjoy quality time without spending money or stressing over complicated rules. All you need is a standard deck of cards and a few minutes to pick it up. It’s one of those reliable go-to games you’ll keep coming back to for years.

If you prefer watching the game in action, check out the video below. You’ll see an example round, tips on forming sequences, and how to place your Kings effectively!

Ready to explore more card games? Check out our other guides for easy and entertaining options. Share your experience with Kings in the Corner in the comments or subscribe for more gaming tips and tricks!