A standard layout contains a pyramid of face-up cards, with additional cards in a stock and waste pile. Kings are removed individually because they have a value of 13. Queens pair with aces, jacks with twos, tens with threes, nines with fours, and eights with fives. Only uncovered cards may be selected, and stock cards are normally turned over one at a time. Rules for redeals and the number of passes depend on the version.

Expose covered cards whenever possible, give priority to pairs that uncover several cards, and avoid using a card from the stock when an equivalent exposed pair can be removed. Track the remaining ranks so that needed partners are not buried or discarded prematurely.