What happens if I use the merci on the first redeal?

The merci move is allowed only on the final deal. If you use it earlier, you are playing a variant not described here. Stick to the standard rule and save it for the last layout.

Can I move a card from a foundation back to a fan?

No. Cards placed on foundations stay there and cannot be moved back to fans. Foundations are built only upward by suit from Ace to King.

What do I do when a fan is empty?

An emptied fan is not refilled. That space remains empty for the rest of the game. You continue playing with the remaining fans.

Is the single card fan treated differently?

No. The single card fan is just like any other fan. Its top card (the only card) can be moved, and it can receive cards built down in the same suit.

La Belle Lucie: The Fan Solitaire With Two Redeals

La Belle Lucie is a classic fan solitaire game that uses one 52 card deck and offers two redeals to help you win. Also known simply as Fans, this patience game deals cards face up in fans of three. Build the four suit piles from Ace to King, and keep the traditional merci move for your final deal. These are the rules and tactics you need to finish the layout.

Setup and Deal

Shuffle the deck and deal all cards face up into fans. You create 17 fans of 3 cards each, then 1 fan of a single card. That single card is the last fan on the table. Every fan is built from left to right, and only the top card of each fan can be moved at any time. An emptied fan is not refilled. That space stays empty for the rest of the game.

Building the Foundations

Four foundation piles sit above the fans. Move Aces there as soon as they become available. On each pile, build up in the same suit from Ace to King. Place any Ace from the top of any fan onto an empty foundation. Once a foundation has an Ace, add the next card of that suit in rank order, 2, 3, 4, and so on. Only a card that is the top of its fan can be moved to a foundation.

Building Down on the Fans

You can also move cards between fans. A card can be placed onto a fan only if it is one rank lower and of the same suit as the top card of that fan. For example, move the 7 of Hearts onto an 8 of Hearts. You move only one card at a time, and you always take the top card of the source fan. This exposes cards buried deeper in the fans. When you empty a fan completely, you cannot fill it with cards from elsewhere. The empty space remains.

The Two Redeals and the Merci Move

When you cannot make any more moves, gather all fans, including the single card fan, into one pile. Shuffle them and redeal in fans of three. You are allowed two such redeals. On the final deal, the third time you lay out the cards, many rule sets allow one special move called the merci.

How the Merci Works

The merci move lets you take one buried card from any fan and pull it to the top of its own fan. This does not change which fan the card is in, but it makes that card playable. You can use the merci only once during the whole game, and only on the final deal.

When to Use the Merci

Save your merci for a card that is blocking a key fan or that would complete a foundation sequence. If a King is buried under two cards and you need it to free up space, the merci can bring it to the top. Think carefully before using it. You get only one chance.

Tactics for Winning

Winning La Belle Lucie requires both patience and planning. Use these tactics to improve your odds.

Expose Aces early. Move any Ace you can reach to a foundation immediately. This frees up fans and opens more moves.
Work on one suit at a time. Focus on building one foundation as high as possible. This creates a cascade of moves in that suit.
Keep fans balanced. Do not empty fans too quickly. An empty fan cannot be used again, so it is better to keep fans with cards you can move around.
Plan your redeals. Before you reshuffle, look at the cards that are still buried. If you have many high cards stuck, the redeal might give you better access. Use the first redeal to rearrange the layout, and save the second for a last chance.
Use the merci as a final tool. Do not waste it early. Wait until you have exhausted all normal moves on the final deal, then use the merci to pull out the one card that will let you finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players make errors that cost them the game. Avoid these pitfalls.

Moving cards too fast. Check each fan before moving a card. You might miss a better move if you rush.
Using the merci too early. Once you use it, you cannot take it back. Wait until you are truly stuck on the last deal.
Forgetting the redeal order. You have exactly two redeals. If you reshuffle a third time, the game is over. Count your deals carefully.
Leaving a foundation incomplete. If you have a King on top of a fan and the foundation for that suit is at Queen, move the King. Do not leave it buried.

Variations and the Fans Solitaire Game

La Belle Lucie is a fan solitaire game that has been played for generations. Some players call it simply Fans, and the rules are mostly the same. The name 'belle lucie merci' refers to the optional mercy move that gives you one extra chance. You can play it online at free-solitaire.co without any download or signup. The site offers the same rules, including the two redeals and the merci move on the final deal.