Deal four face-down cards into each of thirteen piles. The twelve outer piles represent the clock positions, while the center pile represents kings. Turn over a card from the starting pile, then place it face-up beneath the pile corresponding to its rank: aces through queens go to their respective clock positions, and kings go to the center. Continue by turning over the top face-down card of the pile indicated by the card just played. The game is won if all cards are revealed before the process stops. Because card placement is predetermined, the outcome depends mostly on the deal.

There is very little player choice, so strategy is limited. Keep track of which piles have been visited and note any face-up cards that have not yet led to a new pile. The main practical skill is recognizing whether an apparent dead end is caused by the fourth king or by unrevealed cards remaining in another pile. Most deals cannot be influenced once cards are dealt.