Kings in the Corner variants and house rules
Kings in the Corner is a folk game, so tables disagree, mostly about when you draw, how many cards are dealt, and how scoring ends. None of the variants below is "wrong"; the only rule that matters is agreeing before the first deal. This page names each variant and states exactly which rules this site’s game uses.
The variant matrix
| Rule | Standard (this site) | Common variants |
|---|---|---|
| Draw timing | Draw one card at the START of your turn, then play | Draw at the END of your turn; or draw only when you cannot play |
| Deal size | 7 cards each, any player count | 10 cards each with 2 players; 5 cards for a faster game |
| King flipped at setup | Moved to a corner immediately and replaced | Left in the cross where it landed |
| Empty cross space | Takes any card or pile | Takes only a card the mover chooses from hand (no pile refill) |
| Scoring target | Match ends at 25 penalty points; lowest total wins | Play to 50; or single rounds with no scoring, where first out simply wins |
| Ace direction | Aces always low | None. Every published version agrees aces are low |
| Play obligation | Playing is optional; you may hold cards deliberately | Must play every legal card (rare, speeds the game, weakens strategy) |
Named variants worth knowing
THE BOXED EDITION. The commercial version (sold since 1996) is the source of the 10-points-per-king scoring and the flipped-king replacement at setup, and it draws at the start of the turn. It plays identically to the standard rules on this site.
SINGLE-ROUND KINGS CORNER. Bicycle’s published rules describe the game as a single round: deal, play, first out wins, no penalty counting. Perfect for deciding who does the dishes; match scoring exists because one round takes ten minutes and everyone wants another.
TWO-PLAYER KINGS IN THE CORNER. Deal 10 cards each instead of 7 for a longer, more strategic duel, because with only two players a 7-card round can end before the board develops. This site keeps the 7-card deal for consistency across table sizes; choose 3 opponents in settings if you want longer rounds.
KINGS CORNER SOLITAIRE. A one-player patience variant: deal the cross and corners as usual, then try to play out the entire deck drawing one card at a time, kings to corners. Not the same game, with no opponents and no penalty scoring, but the same layout, which causes some of the naming confusion online.
TEAM PLAY (4 players). Partners sit opposite and their round penalties are pooled. Adds table talk rules (most tables ban naming cards you hold) and turns space-opening into a genuinely shared decision: a space you open for yourself is also open for both opponents AND your partner.
Variant questions
Do you draw a card if you can already play in Kings in the Corner?
- In the standard rules, yes. Every turn starts with a draw whether you need it or not, until the stock is empty. The "draw only when stuck" version is a common house rule that makes rounds shorter and going out easier.
How many cards do you deal for 2 players in Kings in the Corner?
- The standard deal is 7 cards each at every table size. A popular two-player variant deals 10 each to make the duel longer and more strategic, so agree which you are using before the deal.
Is there a solitaire version of Kings in the Corner?
- Yes. Same cross-and-corners layout, but one player tries to play out the whole deck drawing one card at a time. It shares the geometry, not the game: no opponents, no penalty scoring.