Copyright: Copyright ©1995 David Bernazzani


Contents_Freecell
Game Name:	Freecel

Alternate Names:	Freecell

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 2

Game Time:	Ave

Freecel is, well, my own variation of freecell.

**Layout**

Eight piles of 6 cards with an additional card on the first four piles starts the Tableau.

**Object**

The object is simple, to found Aces and build them up to kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau, you can build downward in alternating color suits (red on black, black on red).  Strictly speaking, only the topmost card can be moved to another Tableau pile but a build of cards in correct alternating sequence can be moved to other parts of the Tableau, providing there are enough freecells available to make the move (this saves you the time from moving the cards up and then back down again).  A single topmost card can be moved to and from the four holding areas at the top left of the screen (known as "free cells").  A space in the tableau may be filled with any card.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

**Tips**

Note - Win odds are to win a game on the first try.  I think almost all of the games can be won given enough attempts.  An easier version of this game is called Eight Off.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents
Solitude For Windows 1.52

Solitude for Windows consists of the following 91 Solitaire games:

Aces Up   Alhambra   Amazons   Auld Lang Syne   Baker's Dozen   Baker's Game   Batsford   Beleaguered Castle   Betsy Ross   Black Hole   Blind Patience   Bowling   Bristol   Calculation   Canfield   Carpet   Chameleon   Clock   Contradance   Cribbage Solitaire   Cruel   Deuces   Dutchess   Eagle Wing   Easthaven   Eight Off   Fan   Fire And Ice   Flower Garden   Fly   Fortress   Four Kingdoms   Four Seasons   Fourteen Out    FreeCel   Frog   Gaps   Gargantua   German Patience   Golf   Good Measure   Icicles   Indian   King Albert   Klondike   La Belle Lucie   Lady Betty   Limited   Lucas   Miss Milligan   Monte Carlo   Moojub   Mount Olympus   Napoleon at St. Helena   Nestor   Osmosis   Pas Seul   Peek   Penguin   Pluto   Poker Solitaire   Pyramid   Rank and File   Scorpion   Scotch Patience   Seven Devils   Shamrocks   Simple Simon   Simplicity   Sir Tommy   Six By Six   Spider   Spiderette   Stonewall   Storehouse   Streets and Alleys   Strategy   Sultan   Tam O' Shanter   Terrace   Thirteens   Thirty Six   Three Shuffles   Thumb and Pouch   Trefoil   Wave Motion Solitaire   Westcliff   Whitehead   Will 'O The Wisp   Windmill   Yukon

Fire And Ice, Four Kingdoms and Wave Motion Solitaire are games of my own invention.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Game Options and Card Selection

Recommendations for Picking a Game

Contact, License Information and Disclaimer (Please Read)

Version History

For the Technically Minded

More Solitaire Info

Send Me Your Odds!

Thanks to All

From the main Solitude menu you can select any of the games above.  Also, from the main Solitude 'File' menu you can see a list of all game statistics at a glance and can clear out unwanted statistics from this window.

This suite of games is dedicated to my brother Eric who gave me a worn deck of cards and taught me how to play Klondike when I was a kid.  I still have that same deck of cards today.

If you have comments/suggestions/bugs please contact me at dber@gis.net or visit my page at http://www.wavemotion.bizland.com


Contents_FLOWER
Game Name:	Flower Garden

Alternate Names:	The Garden, Bouquet

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20

Game Time:	Average

**Layout**

The entire deck is dealt into play at the start of the game.  Six piles of Six cards are dealt into the 'Garden' (Tableau) while the remaining cards are dealt into the 'Bouquet' (Reserve).  The Foundation row is set off to the right and is to be built up in suit from Aces to Kings.

**Play**

On the garden, build downward in value regardless of suit.  Only one card can be lifted from the top of a pile to be played to another column or to the foundation.  A space is made by clearing away a garden column and any available card can be planted there.  Every card of the bouquet is always available for play and can be selected simply by clicking on it.  This game has a fair chance of coming out with patience!

**Object**

To found all the Aces and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Tips**

The game is easier if a space is dug early so that building in it with any card can take place.  It also helps if Bouquet cards are not used for building in the garden until absolutely needed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Waste

Pile of cards built from cards turned over from the stock.


Tableu
Tableau

The main arrangement of cards on the table where building of cards is usually done.


Foundation

Normally, an ordered pile of cards where Aces are founded and built up to Kings in suit.  In some games, the cards are not built up in suit and sometimes it's not Aces that are the first card moved to the foundations (see Canfield).  The goal of many solitaire games is to get all of the cards onto these ordered Foundation piles.


Win Odds

The odds of completing the goal of the game.  Usually to order all cards from Ace to King in every suit or to discard all cards from the Tableau.


Game Time

Quick - Less than 5 minutes

Average - About 5-10 minutes

Long - More than about 10 minutes


Stock

Remainder of the deck after the appropriate cards have been dealt to the Tableau.


Contents_GOLF
Game Name:	Golf

Alternate Titles:	One Foundation

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 30

Game Time:	Quick

**Layout**

Golf is a simple game played out almost entirely on the Tableau consisting of seven piles of five cards each.  The Stock contains the remaining cards.  The first card is automatically turned over for you to the Waste pile.

**Play**

Exposed cards on the Tableau can be build to the Waste pile if the card is one higher or one lower in value to the top card of the Waste pile.  For example, if a three (suits don't matter) is turned to the Waste pile, any four or any two can be moved from the Tableau to the Waste provided the card being moved is at the bottom of the Tableau pile.  As cards are uncovered, they too can be built to the Waste pile.

When no more cards can be build to the Waste pile, turn over another Stock card and try building to the Waste pile again.

In the original version Kings are special and nothing can be built on a King (known as a Stop card).  To have any hope of winning this game you must use Queens wisely to remove any Kings from the Tableau.  A King turned over from the Stock cannot be built on and a new card must be dealt from the stock.  There is no redeal of cards and the game ends when all cards have been built to the Waste pile or ends when no more cards can be moved to the Waste pile.

**Object**

To move all cards from the Tableau and Stock to the single Waste pile.

**Tips**

This game has an option (in the Game/Options... menu) which allows or disallows Kings to be built on.  The game is slightly easier if Kings can be built on.   There are two build options for Kings - the first only allows Queens to be build on Kings.  The other is to allow both the Queen and Ace to be built on the King (full wrap of A-K-Q-K-A).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_Westcliff
Game Name:	Westcliff

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	9 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

Westcliff is actually a rather simple game.  It's fun to play when you just need to win a game!

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of thirty cards dealt as 3 rows of 10 cards each.  The first two rows are face down, the last face up.  The remaining cards form the Stock and are turned over one at a time to a single Waste pile.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

Top cards are always available for play or moving to the Foundation.  Build on the Tableau downwards in alternating sequence and color.  The topmost card or a series of cards in correct alternating sequence may be moved to a new column.  A space cleared may be filled with any available card or build.  The game is won when all cards are moved to the foundations.  There is no redeal.

**Tips**

Once you get a few open spaces, the game's a breeze.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


CONTENTS_CANFIELD
Game Name:	Canfield

Alternate Titles:	Fascination, Demon, Thirteen

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 30

Game Time:	Ave

This is a well known 1 deck solitaire.

**Layout**

The deck is shuffled and 13 cards are dealt to the Reserve - only the top of which is available.  The fourteenth card is placed above and starts the Foundation, and cards of the same rank are placed there to be built up until all thirteen cards of each suit are on the foundations (After King comes Ace, Two, etc).  A row of four cards to the right of the Reserve form the Tableau.

**Object**

To found the other cards of the same rank as the first Foundation card (called the Starter in solitaire games) and run them up in suit wrapping from King to Ace as necessary.

**Play**

On the Tableau cards can be built downward in alternating colors.  The top cards of the Tableau piles are available for building on the Foundation.  To move from one Tableau location to another, the entire pile must be moved as a unit.  Spaces must be filled with the top card of the reserve.  When the reserve is empty, spaces can be filled from the waste.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_SPIDER
Game Name:	Spider

Alternate Titles:	<none>

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 10

Game Time:	Long

Considered by many devotees to be the best Solitaire game in existence.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of ten piles of four cards dealt face down and then one more card is dealt face down on each of the first four rows.  Then each row receives one face up card.

**Play**

All operations are carried out on the ten piles and there is no Foundation on which to play cards.  Cards may be built on each other in downward sequence, regardless of suit (but prefer to build in suits since you can move correct sequence and suit piles as a unit).  King is high and Ace is low.  A group on top of a pile and in correct downward sequence (and suit) can be moved in whole or part to another row.  This make it important to build downward in natural suits when possible.  When the last face up card of a pile is removed, turn up the face down card and continue play.  When a row is completely cleared, any card or build can be place in the resulting space.  Any card may be moved to spaces but in the original game this is normally reserved for Kings only.

**Object**

The object of the game is to build all 8 Kings down to Aces in proper suit.  Any King through Ace sequence in suit can be removed from the game by clicking on the king and dropping it in the Waste pile at the lower left of the screen.  There can be no cards below the sequence of King to Ace when doing so.

When the game comes to a standstill, click the Stock pile to deal another row cards across the Tableau.  Every space in the Tableau must be filled before a new row can be dealt.

**Tips**

Because there are no foundations, double click has a special function in Spider.  When you double click on a card, it will move it to an available pile (if any can accept the card) with the preference of building in suit over non-suit builds.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_CLOCK
Game Name:	Clock

Alternate Titles:	Sundial, Travelers, Hidden Cards, Four Of A Kind

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 13

Game Time:	Quick

Clock is a very different kind of solitaire in which the Tableau is dealt in the form of a clock and the method of play involves "Shuttling" cards from one clock location to another.  This is one of my favorite games.

**Layout**

Basically, there are thirteen piles of four cards.  The first twelve are dealt in the form of a clock, with 12-o'clock at the top and cycling around (clockwise!).  The thirteenth pile is placed in the center of the Tableau and forms the Stock.  The top card of the Stock is turned up and play can begin.

**Object**

To clear away all 13 piles of 4 cards before the four kings turn up.

**Play**

Whatever numeric value is turned up on the card is the clock position to which it belongs and the card must be dropped at the bottom of the pile of cards at that clock position.  For example, if the Four of Clubs is turned from the Stock, that card can be dropped on the pile of cards located at the Four o'clock position in the Tableau.  The top card of that pile is then automatically turned up and it can be moved to its destination pile on the Tableau.  Continue shuttling in this manner (Jack = 11 o'clock,  Queen = 12 o'clock) until a King is turned.  Kings (being 13 in value) have no home and are cast to the side of the Clock layout.  If you get four Kings before you clear away the entire clock face you lose the game.  If all face down cards are turned up and played to their appropriate piles before the fourth king shows, the game is won.  Essentially, you are ordering the 52 cards into 13 piles of 4 of a kind.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_PYRAMID
Game Name:	Pyramid

Alternate Titles:	Pile of Twenty-Eight

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 50 with No redeals.  Approx 1 in 10 with two redeals.

Game Time:	Quick

**Layout**

A classic game in which 28 cards are dealt in the form of an overlapping Pyramid.  The Tableau comprises of seven rows, the successive rows increasing from one to seven and overlapping so that each card (except the seventh row) is partly covered by the two cards of next row.

**Play**

At the outset, the seven cards of the last row are available.  From the available cards, discard pairs of cards that total thirteen.  Discard kings singly.  Turn cards from the Stock one at a time putting unplayable cards in a Waste pile.  The top of this pile is always available.  It may be paired with the next card turned up from the stock (this holding card is known as the Talon) or with any free card on the Pyramid.  A free card is defined as a card with no cards touching it from the row below.  Every card turned from the stock goes to the Talon pile and any card on the Talon Pile goes to the Waste.

**Object**

The game is won if all cards can be discarded - including the stock cards.

This game has an option (in the Game/Options... menu) which allows up to three redeals to be allowed before the game becomes blocked.  I think this game is best played without redeals!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_SCORPION
Game Name:	Scorpion

Alternate Titles:	<none>

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20

Game Time:	Ave

Similar to it's two deck cousin Spider but the sting is in the tail.

**Layout**

Seven rows of seven cards each are dealt to the Tableau.  The first four cards of the first three rows are face down and the remaining are face up.  The last three cards in the deck are placed in the Stock for reserve use.

**Play**

All operations are carried out on the seven rows and there is no 'foundation' on which to play cards.  The bottom of each pile of cards is available for the next lowest card in the same suit to be built there.  Any card on any other pile (no matter how deeply buried) may be moved there as long as it is one less in value, of the same suit.  Any and all cards on top of the card being moved are moved with it as a unit.

When a face down card is uncovered, it can be turned face up and used in normal play.

**Object**

The goal of the game is to reduce the seven piles to four ordered ones from King down to Ace in every suit.  You score points for every King and every downward series of cards which are in proper descending suit and sequence.

When the game comes to a standstill, click the Stock pile to deal the last three cards, one on top of each of the first three piles across the Tableau.  Continue the game until no more useful moves can be made.

**Tips**

This is a difficult but rewarding game.  Game #1622303677 is a winnable game found by one of the kind users of Solitude.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Tallon
Talon

Typically a single card waste pile.  Used as a buffer between the stock and the waste pile so that pairs of waste pile cards can be selected.  Every card turned from the stock goes to the Talon pile and any card on the Talon Pile in turn goes to the Waste.


Contents_KLONDIKE
Game Name:	Klondike

Alternate Titles:	Fascination, Triangle, Demon Patience, Chinaman

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 30 without Redeals

Game Time:	Ave

This is the classic game which many people will give you the description of if you ask them to describe "solitaire" not realizing that there are hundreds of major solitaire titles and perhaps an uncountable number of variations on the basic themes.  Most people don't know the actual name of this game is Klondike.  It's one of my favorites.

**Layout**

The deck is shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Seven piles are formed, each with one more card than the last.  The top of each pile is face up and the rest are face down and must be uncovered before viewing and use.  To the right of the tableau is the Foundation, and Aces, when available, are  moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.  The remaining cards comprise the Stock which are turned over either singly or in batches of 3 (see the options for this game) to a single Waste pile.

**Object**

The object of the game is to build all the foundation Aces to Kings in suit.

**Play**

The top card of any pile and the top card from the Waste pile may be played  played to the foundation.  A pile of cards can be moved as a unit to  another column's card in descending order, alternating suit color.  A King may only be moved to an empty column or to a foundation.  No other card but a King may be moved into an empty space.  Cards are turned over from the remaining deck into a single waste pile and  the top of this waste pile is always available for play.

**Tips**

The toughest method of play is to go through the deck one card at a time with no redeals allowed.  It is also the most rewarding when the game is won under these single-redeal options.  This restriction can be relaxed using the Game/Options menu.

Note, in Vegas this is one of the few solitaire gambling games available.  You pay $50 to pick up the deck ($1 per card, 2 cards free) and you get back $5 for every card built to the Foundation piles.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contents_STRATEGY
Game Name:	Strategy

Alternate Names:	<None>

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 4 in 5

Game Time:	Quick

Strategy was invented by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith and is described in their excellent book "The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games".

**Layout**

This game starts will a full stock turned over one at a time and played to any one of eight Tableau piles.

**Play**

The game is played out almost entirely on the Tableau consisting of eight piles.  Each card from the Stock is turned over one at a time and this card must then be played on to any of the eight Waste piles.  Any card can be placed on any other card but once cards are played to one of the eight piles there can be no moving of the cards.  Aces, when turned from the stock, can be played immediately to the Foundation piles but no other card can be placed there until all cards have been dealt into the Tableau.  After all cards are dealt, cards from the Tableau can be built to the Foundation piles but only the exposed cards of the Tableau pile can be transferred.

**Object**

To build up the foundations from Aces to Kings in suit.

**Tips**

The key to this game is to never bury a lower value card under a higher value card of the same suit.  If this is done, there will be no way to move the cards in proper sequence up to the Foundation piles.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Conents_NAPOLEON
Game Name:	Napoleon at St. Helena

Alternate Titles:	Forty Thieves

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 30

Game Time:	Long

This is very well known 2 deck solitaire.  It is rumored that Napoleon occupied his time with this game.

**Layout**

The 2 decks are shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Ten piles of four cards each are formed.  The top of each pile is available for moving.   Above the Tableau is the Foundation, and the Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.   Near the bottom is a Stock pile, a Talon and a Waste pile.

**Object**

To found all 8 aces and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

As you click on the stock pile it will turn over onto the talon card pile (which will only contain a single card) and any card on the talon pile will move to the waste pile.  Both the talon card and the top of the waste pile are available for play (Basically, the talon acts as a second mini-waste pile allowing two cards to be seen before any action is decided upon).

Available cards can be moved directly to the Foundations for building.  Cards can also be built on the Tableau in descending sequence and in the same suit (that is - A Queen of Clubs can be built on a King of Clubs).  Once a Tableau spot is cleared of cards, any available card may be moved there.  Remember, only the top card of each Tableau pile can be moved.

This is a very difficult but rewarding game!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


CONTENTS_CASTLE
Game Name:	Beleaguered Castle

Alternate Titles:	Sham Battle, Laying Siege

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 3

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

The four aces are removed and placed in the middle to start the Foundations.  The rest of the deck is dealt into 8 rows of 6 cards (four rows to either side of the foundations) and this is known as the Tableau.

**Object**

To build up the aces in suits to kings.

**Play**

All playing takes place on the Tableau and foundations (there is no Stock or Reserve).

Only one card at a time can be moved (top of each row) but it can be moved to any other Tableau row whose top card is one higher in value (without regard to color or suit).  A space is made by clearing all cards from a row and any available card can be played there.

Cards can be built up in suit to the Foundations when they are available (top card of row only).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Miss Milligan
Game Name:	Miss Milligan

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20

Game Time:	Long

A great blend of Klondike and Spider with a reserve pile to boot!

**Layout**

The deck is dealt into 8 piles forming the Tableau.

**Object**

To build up the Foundations from Ace to King in suit.

**Play**

After each deal of 8 cards, play up what you can to the Foundations.  On the Tableau build down in alternating colors.  A single card or a build which is in correct downward sequence and alternating color can be moved as a unit.  A space can only be filled by a King or a build with a King at the base.

Once all the Stock is dealt and all plays are made, a single card or correct sequence build can be transferred to the reserve pile below the tableau.  These cards then become available for playing to the Foundations or other Tableau piles.  Once all of these cards are worked back into the tableau or foundations you may move another card or build to this reserve and try again.  This process is called "weaving" and goes on until no additional moves can be made or the game is won.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


CONTENTS_MCARLO
Game Name:	Monte Carlo

Alternate Titles:	Weddings, Double, Quilt

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 2

Game Time:	Quick

A very different kind of game - one without Foundations!

**Layout**

Twenty-five cards are dealt into the Tableau in a 5x5 grid.

**Object**

To discard all the cards in the Tableau in pairs.

**Play**

Discard adjacent cards (horizontally or diagonally) of the same rank.  Once all cards that can be discarded are removed, click the Stock pile to consolidate the cards and remaining cards from the stock are dealt to the Tableau to fill in the back end.  Continue discarding adjacent cards of the same rank (using the Stock to fill spaces when blocked) until either all cards are discarded (game won) or the Stock is exhausted and no more discards can be made on the Tableau.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Spiderette
Game Name:	Spiderette

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 100

Game Time:	Long

Played much like Spider but with only one deck.  And it's much tougher!

**Layout**

The initial Tableau layout is the same as Klondike with seven overlapping rows of an increasing number of cards.  There are no Foundations.

**Object**

To discard all 4 suits of King to Ace in assembled sequence.

**Play**

All building is done on the Tableau.  The top card of each pile is available for building.  Build down on the tableau in descending sequence regardless of suit.  If two or more cards are in the correct downward sequence and are in the same suit they can moved and built as a unit on another pile (so it is usually preferable to build in suit whenever possible).  A space can be filled with any available card or correct suit-and-sequence build.

When a King to Ace sequence in suit is available, lift it to the Discard pile.  The game is won if all four suits of King to Ace are assembled and discarded.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Solitaire Information

When I refer to Solitaire below, I refer to Solitaire played with one or more standard decks of playing cards (as opposed to the English or French Solitaire boards where you jump pegs and try to end up with a single peg in the center).. Playing cards are cheap and I strongly recommend good quality Bicycle cards (about $2 for a pack). They make the popular Poker style cards (808s) and also a bridge size which is a bit smaller and is sometimes better for some of the more elaborate games. Playing cards can be used for thousands of games and every household should have a deck of cards.

Solitaire (or Patience as it is called in England) is an excellent pastime. It's a good way to relax and it really helps sharpen mental skills. But first of all, Solitaire is not a single game (as many newcomers tend to believe). There are nearly limitless variations of solitaire games - each one with an intriguing layout and set of rules to govern play. Often times the only solitaire game people know is the one supplied with Microsoft Windows. They affectionately refer to this game as Solitaire. It's just one version of Solitaire and is more correctly identified by the name Klondike. The game of Klondike is a very popular one here in the US and it was well chosen by Microsoft to be included with their operating system. Unfortunately, they don't give you the real name of the game or all the popular variations. Klondike is best played when dealing from the deck just one card at a time and going through the deck only once. I consider this the proper method of play and it will come out about 1 in 50 attempts. It's great to know that one of the more difficult solitaire games is also one of the most popular - a tribute to the spirit of the players everywhere!

The first mention of playing cards came in the late 1300's which means that playing cards in general are over 600 years old. At that time, they were only for the very rich since they had to be hand produced (painted). With the advent of the Printing Press in the 15th century (in Germany), playing cards could be mass produced and became increasingly available to all people. Today you can get a top notch deck for about $2 and cheaper ones for under a buck. A real bargain considering all you can do with a deck of cards and the knowledge of a few games.

The first recorded Solitaire games are a little more than 200 years old even though playing cards in general are much older. Two somewhat related solitaire games share honors as being the first recorded solitaire games - "Sir Tommy" and "Grandfather's Patience". In fact, an alternate title for Sir Tommy is "Old Patience" and this is still a popular game.

Some games are easy and comes out almost every time. Westcliff is one such game. Others offer near even chances such as Beleaguered Castle. Others are nearly impossible such as Auld Lang Syne or Tam O'Shanter. There are sometimes more than one name for a given game and sometimes a single name describes more than one game. There are nasty critter games such as Spider and Scorpion. There are sports related games such as Bowling and Golf. Pioneer spirit games such as Yukon and Klondike. Some games are downright royal - such as King Albert, Queens Audience and Royal Cotillion. Others are just there to help pass the time away - such as Clock and Midnight Oil.

Just because a game is said to have "Win" odds of 3 in 4 that does not mean that without effort anyone playing can achieve this 3 wins in 4 tries. Sometimes it takes great mental effort to actually achieve the 3 wins out of 4 tries. Conversely, some games which have poor odds of winning cannot be improved with all the mental energy in the world. When game odds are typically quoted (which I like to do) they typically mean assuming the best line of play with maximum effort expended (assuming that will help).

How difficult it is to win does not indicate how difficult a game is to actually play. Auld Land Syne is almost impossible to win, but play is quick and almost mindless (a computer could play by itself). Other games like Strategy come out almost all the time but it requires good play and proper planning during the layout of the cards. This does not mean that either is a good or a bad game - some like to spend lots of time thinking out a solitaire position while others like the rhythmic play and to see how fate has dealt them cards. You can make up your own mind as to what types of games suit you (I happen to love Clock - mindless but rhythmic with a great layout!).

There are lots of Solitaire Terms that get thrown around. The most common terms follow. The main arrangement of cards is called the Tableau (one of those French terms - I think it just means Table). This is usually a series of columns or rows but can by anything the layout calls for. This is where much of the work of moving cards takes place. Strictly speaking, it can be said that anything not on the Foundations is really part of the Tableau. The Foundations are where the cards get ordered. Many single games have 4 Foundations (assuming a single deck game) which you order from Ace up to King in correct suit. Some games (like Pyramid) where the goal is to eliminate cards have no foundations at all. A game like Spider has no foundations but you still order cards from ace to king - but all work is carried out directly on the Tableau and only when whole sequences from Ace to King have been assembled can you discard them from the tableau. The Stock is all of the cards not initially dealt to the Tableau. This is also often called the Hand since you tend to keep this part of the deck in your hand as you flip those cards over. In the game Klondike, all cards not dealt to the 7 rows of cards are now considered the Stock. The Waste is usually where you place cards you turn up from the Stock. The top of this waste pile can be used to play to the Tableau or Foundations depending on the rules of the game. A Talon exists in some games and is really just a 1 card buffer between the Stock and the Waste. This way, you can use the Talon card or the top Waste card during play. As you turn over another card from the Stock it goes to the Talon and the Talon card now becomes the top Waste card. It helps having a couple of cards to choose from during gameplay in some games (most notably, Napoleon). The Talon is only used in games which specifically call for it. A Build is a correctly ordered series of cards in correct sequence which can be moved as a unit to another part of the Tableau or it can be a sequence of cards built on the Foundation.

The object of almost all solitaire games is to take a reasonably random (shuffled) pack and transpose it into an ordered set of cards. Usually, this involves founding Aces (usually the lowest card) and sequencing them up in suit to Kings (usually the highest card) until all 52 cards have been neatly ordered into 4 stacks based on suit. In other games the goal is to eliminate cards until there are none left - often times you need to match cards together to eliminate them from the game. A few strange games involve specialized rules but the goal is basically always the same - to order or eliminate cards from the game. For those technically minded, think of the shuffled deck of cards as entropy. You're job is to try and reverse that process by application of the game rules and create order from chaos. Too deep for you - don't worry it's still plain old fun!

Let's take a look at Klondike - a very typical example of an solitaire game where ordering the cards is the goal.

Klondike is a single deck solitaire game. The deck is shuffled and dealt to the table or more technically the "Tableau". Seven piles are formed, each with one more card than the last. The top of each pile is face up and the rest are face down and must be uncovered before viewing and use. The rest of the cards are known as the "Stock" and are turned over one at a time during game play into a single Wastepile. To the right of the tableau is the "Foundation", and Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit. The object of the game is to build all the Foundation Aces up to Kings in suit. That is, when an Ace becomes available you can move it to the foundation. Then you can move the 2 of the same suit on top of it. Then the three, etc. The top card of any pile and the top card of the Wastepile may be played played to the foundation. All other cards are considered "buried" and must be uncovered before they can be played. Cards can be moved from the Waste to the Table or from the table to the table if they are in descending order and alternating suit color. That is, a 9 of clubs can be built on a 10 of diamonds. A three of hearts can be built on a 4 of clubs. A single card or a pile of cards in correct alternating sequence can be moved as a unit to another column's card providing it links up in descending order, alternating suit color. A King or any build with a king at the base may only be moved to an empty column. Only a single card can be moved to the foundation at a time. No other card but a King may be moved into an empty space. As face down cards are uncovered, the are turned upright and are available for playing. The game is won if all cards are ordered on the Foundations from Ace to Kings. The game is lost if all cards are turned over from the Stock onto the Wastepile and no further moves can be made.

For an excellent description on more than 225 different solitaire games the reader is encouraged to get a copy of "The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games" by Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith. It is a most excellent book and is still fairly easy to find in most bookstores. It's a paperback and should cost around $6 dollars. Another potentially more comprehensive book was written by David Parlett and is called "Solitaire - Aces Up & 399 Other Card Games". I don't think this is in print anymore so this is a much harder book to find. I found a copy at my local library and then ran across an inexpensive hard-covered edition of it on a discount rack at a bookstore. Either book will explain the different Solitaire games in much more detail than I could ever hope to. Both books give some indication of the odds of winning a particular game. I have used the information in those books as a starting point for my guesses but many of the win ratios have been tailored based on my actual play (or on the play of others who were kind enough to give me their winning percentages based on the last release of Solitude).

Also note, that it is not necessary to learn all of the games to enjoy Solitude.  The games were meant to be a sampling of the different games available and enjoyed my millions.  With any luck  you will find one or two games that catch your interest.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the games and may you find a lifelong favorite amongst them!


Calculation
Game Name:	Calculation

Alternate Titles:	Broken Intervals

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 7

Game Time:	Ave

An interesting patience game which builds each of the foundations by different interval values.  It is similar to the patience game Betsy Ross.

**Layout**

Cards are turned one at a time from a single Stock pile and must be moved to one of four Tableau piles.

**Object**

To build up the Foundations so that each contains 13 cards (suits do not matter).

**Play**

The cards turned up from the Stock can be placed on any of the four Tableau piles and there are no restrictions on placing the cards there.  Move cards as they are available to the Foundations.  The foundations are automatically started with an Ace, Two, Three and Four (suits do not matter in building these foundations).  The first foundation pile is built by ones (A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K).  The second foundation pile by twos (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q, A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K).  The third by threes (3, 6, 9, Q, 2, 5, 8, J, A, 4, 7, 10, K) and the last by fours (4, 8, Q, 3, 7, J, 2, 6, 10, A, 5, 9, K).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Whitehead
Game Name:	Whitehead

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20 without Redeals

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout and Play**

This is the same as Klondike except that the entire Tableau is dealt face up for complete inspection of the cards.  Cards are build downward in the same color suits (instead of red on black, black on red) and a space may be filled with any card or build.  Additionally, a build of cards in correct downward sequence and of the same suit can be moved as a unit for building elsewhere.  Therefore, even though you can build in color, it's usually better to try and build in suits whenever possible.  An interesting Klondike variation!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Eagle Wing
Game Name:	Eagle Wing

Alternate Titles:	Thirteen Down

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

The first foundation card is placed on the Foundation automatically and all other cards of the same rank are built up there in suit (with Kings to Aces when a wraparound occurs).  The Tableau consists of two "Wings" of four cards.  Build these to the foundations.

In the center there is a "Trunk" of 13 cards which can be used to fill empty spaces on the Tableau.

**Object**

To found the other cards of the same rank as the first foundation card (known as a Starter card) and build them up in suit wrapping from King to Ace as necessary.

**Play**

There is no building on the tableau "wings" but any card in the "wings" may be played to the foundations and the resulting space filled from the Trunk (when the Trunk is empty you may fill the space from the Waste pile).  A Stock pile is turned one card at a time into a Waste pile.  After each turn of the Stock, play up to the foundations what you can.  There are two redeals.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contact and License Information

Copyright Notice and Disclaimer

Solitude for Windows is Copyright (c) 1995 - 1999 by David Bernazzani.  All rights reserved.  This version is FREEWARE and may be freely copied and distributed as long as the entire unmodified program and associated files are copied and no fee is charged.  This program may not be placed on a shareware/freeware CD collection without my permission.

This program is provided 'as is' and no warranties are implied or given. The author shall not be held responsible for any errors, incompatibilities or consequential losses before, during or after use of this program.  The author does not guarantee fitness for a particular purpose.  The risk as to the quality and performance of the Software is taken on by you.

Grant of Use

The author grants you a non-exclusive license to use this software product ("Software") free of charge.  (However, if you find it useful, send me some email and let me know what you liked).

Bugs and Features

Although I cannot fix every bug in a timely manner or even respond to every email question I would like to know about bugs in the program or features you would like to see in future releases of the program.  Please email me with comments/suggestions at the following address:

dber@gis.net

And put the word SOLITUDE somewhere in the subject line so it will be easy for me to know what the message is about (you can put as long a subject as you like, just put SOLITUDE somewhere in it).  Please indicate your main Solitude version number (from the Help About menu) when submitting a comment or bug.

Please DO NOT email me bugs if the copy of the program you have is older than 1 year.

Patches and new releases will be available on my home page:

http://www.wavemotion.bizland.com

System requirements

Solitude requires Windows 95/98 or WinNT with at least 8MB of RAM and a hard drive with 8MB free.

Uninstalling

Assuming it was installed with the installshield installation program (which is how this program is distributed), this program can be uninstalled using the standard Control Panel Add/Remove Programs.  You should uninstall old versions of Solitude before installing new versions of Solitude.


Alud Lang Syne
Game Name:	Auld Lang Syne

Alternate Titles:	Patience

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 3000

Game Time:	Quick

I've simulated this on my computer and it is a very difficult game to win.  I've had emails from no less than 4 people who have won this game.  I estimate that with skilled play, you should win 1 in 3000 games!  For a harder version, try Tam O'Shanter (I've never known anyone to beat that game).

**Layout**

The four aces are founded automatically to the four Foundation piles.  The rest of the cards form the Stock.

**Object**

To build the Aces up in suit to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Cards are turned up from the Stock in batches of four and any exposed card can be built to the foundations in sequence but suit does not matter.  Once all cards that can be built are moved up, deal another batch of four and build again.  Any cards exposed from moving a card up become available for building on the Foundation.  There is no movement in the Tableau itself.  Deal until all cards have been moved to the Tableau in batches of four.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Sir Tommy
Game Name:	Sir Tommy

Alternate Titles:	Old Patience

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Quick

An easier version of Auld Lang Syne.  This game shares honors with a Solitaire game called "Grandfather's Patience" as being the oldest recorded Solitaire game.  Both of these games are over 200 years old.  The alternate title for this game seems appropriate.

**Layout**

Four Foundation piles and four Tableau piles - all empty to start.

**Object**

Move the  four aces as the become available to a Foundation and build up to Kings - suits do not matter.

**Play**

Cards are turned one at a time from the Stock and must be moved immediately to the Tableau.  The cards can be placed on any of the four tableau piles and there are no restrictions on placing the cards there.  Move cards as they are available to the Foundations without regard to suits.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Bowling
Game Name:	Bowling

Alternate Names:	<None>

Number Decks:	1 Short Deck

Win Odds:	N/A

Game Time:	Long

Bowling was invented by Sid Sackson.  He has a book called "A Gamut of Games" and it is worth getting.  Bowling is a most unusual solitaire game.

**Layout**

Bowling is played with only 20 cards:  Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten of Spades and Clubs only.  Ten of these cards are placed in the form of a bowling pin layout.  The remaining cards are placed on 3 piles (these are the balls).

**Object**

The object of the game is basically the same as real bowling - to knock over all the cards in as few balls as possible.  An entire game consists of 10 frames complete with potential Strikes and Spares.

**Play**

At the start of each frame, the first three cards in the ball piles are available for use.  Any combination of 1, 2 or 3 adjacent pins can be knocked down if the last digit of their sum total matches the ball card.  When a ball card is used, the one below it (if available) can be turned over for use.  When no more plays can be made (or you elect not to play any more cards thinking that you might have a better chance for a spare) you hit the Roll Ball button which will remove the top layer of exposed ball cards and let you at the next level of cards.  Continue as above until you Strike (all pins down on the first ball), Spare (all pins down on the second ball) or can't make any more plays on the third ball.  Then hit the Next Frame button to more to the next frame.

Just as in real bowling, a Strike or a Spare on the 10th frame entitles you to one (spare) or two (strike) bonus balls.

**Tips**

The best score is 10 strikes with 2 strikes on the bonus balls giving 300 total points.  Consider yourself excellent to get 175.  An average score would be in the low 100's.  Look carefully at the discard pile to determine what cards you want to take.  Remember there are only two of each denomination (two Aces, two Sixes, etc) as this information will help you greatly.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Poker Solitaire
Game Name:	Poker Solitaire

Alternate Names:	Poker Squares

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Ave 100

Game Time:	Quick

**Layout**

A very different type of game.  The Tableau has a 5x5 grid where you will turn up and play a single card to a single grid square.

**Play**

You can place the cards from the Stock in any grid square of your choosing.  Only one card per Tableau square is allowed.  You are finished when all 25 Tableau grid squares are filled.

**Object**

The goal is to produce 10 high-scoring poker hands from the five horizontal rows and the 5 vertical columns.  For each row you will be given a score as follows:

Hand	English	American
Royal Flush	30	100
Straight Flush	30	75
Four of a Kind	16	50
Full House	10	25
Flush	5	20
Straight	12	15
Three of a Kind	6	10
Two Pairs	3	5
One Pair	1	2

All other hands score 0.  Solitude uses the American scoring system rather than offering this as a choice.  This helps to standardize the scoring to determine how well you did.  If some people use the American Scoring and others the English then comparisons between the two would be difficult.

A royal flush is Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit.  A straight flush is the same thing but not Ten through Ace.  Full house is 3 of a kind and a pair in the same 5 card hand.  A flush is 5 cards of the same suit.  A straight is 5 cards in numerical sequence (for example - Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven) as long as they are NOT the same suit (if they are, the score would be higher - see Straight Flush and Royal Flush above).  Everything else should be self explanatory.

The score for each of the scoring rows/columns is shown directly on screen.  The total of all scoring rows/columns is your score for the game.  Consider yourself good if you regularly get over 100.  A score of 150 is excellent and 200 is as good as a win.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Aces Up
Game Name:	Aces Up

Alternate Names:	Idiot's Delight, Firing Squad

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 50

Game Time:	Quick

Aces Up is an easy and quick game to play but it's very difficult to win!

**Layout**

All cards start in the Stock.  The Tableau consists of 4 empty cells to start.

**Object**

To eliminate all of the Stock cards after they are dealt to the Tableau in batches of four.

**Play**

A row of 4 cards are dealt from the Stock.  You can discard any exposed card as long as a higher-value card of the same suit is exposed.  As you discard, additionally exposed cards are now available for discarding.  When you have done all the discarding you can, deal another row of 4 cards over the existing cards and continue.  For example, after the first deal - if you have a Queen of Spades, Jack of Spades, Two of Spades and 5 of Hearts, you can discard the Jack and Two of Spades because the Queen of Spades is higher value and exposed (at the end of a Tableau row).  Now you will have to deal another row of 4 cards.

Aces rank highest above kings so these can be deadly cards when too many come up early.  A space cleared can be filled with any single card from the Tableau (at some point, you will need to place the Aces there).  The game is one if all cards are discarded except the 4 aces which will be left alone on each of the Tableau rows.  A great game!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Gargantua
Game Name:	Gargantua

Alternate Names:	Double Klondike

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 2

Game Time:	Ave

Gargantua is the double deck version of Klondike.  It may surprise some of you that the game is actually easier than the 1 deck version.  Actually, this happens to be true of most 2 deck solitaire games since with a 1 deck game if you need a card and it is buried deeply you may have trouble winning.  With a 2 deck game, you have two chances to get the same card and critical cards buried are not as disastrous.

**Layout**

Basically, the same as Klondike but with 9 rows for the Tableau and a double set of Foundation rows.

**Object**

To found the 8 aces as they become available and run them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Build down on the tableau in descending sequence and alternating suit color.  A correct sequence of cards can be moved as a unit providing they are in correct descending sequence and alternating suit colors.  A space cleared may be filled by a king or a build with a king on the bottom.  Stock cards are turned one at a time and placed into a single Waste pile.  There is one redeal allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Windmill
Game Name:	Windmill

Alternate Names:	Propeller

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

Windmill is a bit different than many other solitaire games.

**Layout and Play**

The layout is great - a single ace in the center starts the first Foundation.  This is to be built up to King then wrap back around to Ace up to King again and again until 52 cards are on this first foundation.  The other four foundations are in the corners (gold circles).  Any king can be placed on one of these other four foundations and they are built downwards regardless of suit to Aces.  The game is won if all cards are moved to the foundations (52 cards in the center foundation and 13 cards each on the other four foundations).

The Tableau consists of two cards above, below and to either side of the middle foundation.  These can only hold 1 card each and these cards are always available for play to the foundations.  As spaces are made, fill them with cards from the stock or waste.  The Stock is turned over one card at time to a single Waste pile the top of which is available for play.

**Tips**

Note - you can "reverse build".  That is, you can take cards from a foundations and move it to another foundation but not more than 1 card per foundation per turn.  So, you can pull cards from an outer "King" reserve to put to the center foundation.  The game will allow this movement between foundations but it will not limit you to just one move per turn.  If you want to abide by this rule you will have to have the willpower to restrict foundation movements as described in this paragraph.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Blind Patience
Game Name:	Blind Patience

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 40

Game Time:	Long

This is similiar to the 2 deck solitaire called Napoleon at St. Helena.  It adds some additional skill in deciding which columns to face-up and which to leave blind!

**Layout**

The 2 decks are shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Ten piles of four cards each are formed - all are face down - forming 10 blind columns.  Above the Tableau is the Foundation, and the Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.   Near the bottom is a Stock pile, a Talon and a Waste pile.

**Object**

To found all 8 aces and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

The most exposed card of each column can be turned face up at any time and is then available for moving.  You do not, however, want to just turn over all the most exposed cards because this game lets you move any available face-up card (either elsewhere on the tableau or from the talon/waste piles) to a face-down column.  This lets you decide where to place cards and you can strategically move cards from one pile to another by using one of these "blind" columns.  Keep some columns blind to allow you to move key cards to those spots without having to follow the normal sequence-alternate-suit building rule!

As you click on the stock pile it will turn over onto the talon card pile (which will only contain a single card) and any card on the talon pile will move to the waste pile.  Both the talon card and the top of the waste pile are available for play (Basically, the talon acts as a second mini-waste pile allowing two cards to be seen before any action is decided upon).

Available cards can be moved directly to the Foundations for building.  Cards can also be built on the Tableau in descending sequence and in alternating suits (that is - A red Queen can be built on a black King).  Once a Tableau spot is cleared of cards, any available card may be moved there.  Remember, only the top-most exposed card of each Tableau pile can be moved.

This is a very difficult but rewarding game!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Version History
Solitude Version History

About Version 1.52

Many small bug fixes from field reports.  Fixes include Crib Solitaire scoring, Thirty-six card placements, Terrace # reserve cards, Pyramid last King was not scoring, Scotch Patience was only dealing 51 cards, German Patience waste pile bug with 13 cards.

About Version 1.50

11 new games - Contradance, Indian, Mt. Olympus, Amazons, Scotch Patience, Fan, German Patience, Three Shuffles, Cribbage Solitaire, Penguin and Icicles.

New keyboad shortcuts added for each game (see Game menu for each game).

Minor bug fixes for Seven Devils, La Belle Lucie, Six-by-six, Nestor.

About Version 1.42

Gaps, Blind Patience and Peek solitaires added.

Minor bug fixes.

New main menu interface program.

About Version 1.35

Pluto and Deuces build in suit fixed.

Whitehead build on spaces fixed.

Will O' The Wisp scoring bug fixed.

Terrace - numerous fixes.

Thirteens fixed occasional bug where win dialog would not show.

Stonewall fixed space fill.

Frog fixed aces-to-foundation bug.

Freecel and Cruel statistics not kept on main stats window fixed.

Minor updates in the help file for some rules.

Fortress now saves scores properly.

Dutchess - lots of minor fixes.

Yukon options cleaned up.

New "Game Type" selection in main Solitude Menu.

New sort in Solitude main menu.

Solitude now will check for proper screen resolution before running a game.

Pluto, Dueces, Dutches and Terrace now let you wrap from King to Ace (as it should be).

Bristol - some kings not moved to bottom of pile bug fixed.

Monte Carlo bug fixed on undo with only a few cards left on the tableau.

About Version 1.31

Fixes for Baker's Game, Storehouse redeal fixed, other minor bugs fixes.

22 New games added.

About Version 1.28

Tons of new games and features added.  A total of 55 games available.

About Version 1.17

Added new Undo for most games.

Added game number display and selection to all games.

Added Osmosis.

About Version 1.16

Misc bugs fixed in Aces Up, Flower Garden, Windmill, Gargantua, Clock.  Help file updated.

About Version 1.15

Fixed Napoleon "Finish" bug.

Added Gargantua, Aces Up, Windmill, Thirteens and Poker Solitaire.

About Version 1.12

Added Freakcell and Westcliff.

Simplified menu system for game selection.

Better support for users using large fonts.

Misc bugs fixed.

Full install/uninstall supported.

About Version 1.10

Major internal update in window and text handling to clean up display problems.

Fix of Canfield bug which would not allow a King to be built on an Ace.

Fix of Golf bug which had a duplicate card showing in the Tableau and waste pile.

Better handling of Quit and New Game.

Better screen sizing to allow more games to be played in 640x480.

Other misc fixes throughout the program.

About Version 1.03

1. Misc bugs fixed.  4 New solitaire programs added.

About Version 1.01

1. Updated for 32-bit.  Misc bugs fixed.


Thirteens
Game Name:	Thirteens

Alternate Names:	Simple Addition

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	5 in 6

Game Time:	Quick

OK - so this is a simple game but still fun.

**Layout**

Basically the Tableau consists of 10 cards in 2 rows.

**Object**

To discard pairs of cards totaling 13.  You win if you discard the entire deck in this manner.

**Play**

You discard any two cards totaling 13 (Jack counts as 11, Queen as 12).  Discard Kings singly (they count as 13 all by themselves).  When no more discarding can be done, fill in the resulting gaps from the Stock and continue again.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Alhambra
Game Name:	Alhambra

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 1000

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

An interesting game where most of the action takes place on a single Waste pile (or Reserve as it is often called in this game).  The Tableau is 8 piles of 4 cards each but no building takes place on the Tableau.

**Object**

The object is to build all cards to the Foundations from Aces to Kings in suit.

**Play**

The top exposed card of each Tableau pile is available for building on the Waste pile providing it is either one higher or one lower than the card atop the Waste pile and it must be the same suit as the top Waste pile card.  In this manner, cards are moved from the stock to the Waste pile and also from the Tableau to the Waste pile.

Two redeals are allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Limited
Game Name:	Limited

Alternate Titles:	Napoleon at St. Helena Limited

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 4

Game Time:	Long

**Layout and Play**

This is the same game as Napoleon at St. Helena but with 10 columns instead of 8 and only 3 cards dealt to each row.  It's easier than Napoleon since more cards are available and there is more opportunity to create spaces.  See Napoleon for details on how to play.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Seven Devils
Game Name:	Seven Devils

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 700

Game Time:	Ave

Related to other games such Canfield, Storehouse and Chameleon.  The seven devils refers to the 7 cards dealt to the reserve.

**Layout**

On the Tableau deal seven columns of cards with 7 in the first down to 1 in the seventh.  This forms a familiar triangular pattern (see Klondike).

Only the last card of each pile is turned face up.  Then 7 cards are dealt to a pile and this forms the Reserve.  Only the top card of the reserve and the exposed card of each pile are available for moving.  The rest of the cards form the Stock and they will be turned over one at a time to a Waste pile.

**Object**

The object is simple, to move the Aces to the Foundation row and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can build downward in alternating suit color.  You can move only one card at a time.  Cards can be moved on the Tableau or from the Waste pile to the Tableau but never from the Reserve to the tableau.  The reserve cards can only be built onto the foundations.  A space in the Tableau may be filled with any available card from the Tableau or Waste pile but never the Reserve.  Cards are turned from the Stock one at a time into a single Waste pile.  There is no redeal.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Osmosis
Game Name:	Osmosis

Alternate Names:	Treasure Trove

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

An excellent game where lots of action takes place on the Foundations instead of the Tableau.  For a version which lets you see the reserve piles spread slightly (so as to make better decisons to avoid blocks in the game) see Peek.

**Layout and Play**

The goal is to get 4 sets of 13 cards to the foundations which are spread out horizontally.  A single card dealt to the top Foundation row starts the first of the foundations and any card of the same suit (value order does not matter) can be placed alongside it.  When the base value card of another suit appears, it can be placed on the foundation row below it.  Then additional cards of that suit can be placed there providing there is an equal value card on the foundation row above it (they do not have to match the same order - but the base value card must be placed first).

To the left of the foundation piles are 4 piles containing 4 cards each.   This is your Reserve and only the top of these cards is always available for play to the foundation rows.  The Stock is turned over in batches of 3 to a single Waste pile and the top of the Waste pile is always available for play.  You may redeal indefinitely.

**Tips**

After just a few games you will discover that the top couple of rows fill in quickly (the top row especially).  It gets difficult to fill in the lower rows because you need the starter value card to appear first and you can't build any cards unless the same value card appears in the row directly above it.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Cruel
Game Name:	Cruel

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Long

Cruel is the game that was once available in the Windows Entertainment pack (I don't know if it is still available).  I programmed this from memory (yikes!) so someone let me know how close I got it.

**Layout**

The four Aces are removed to one side as Foundations.  The rest of the deck is dealt into 12 piles of 4 cards each which makes up the Tableau.

**Object**

To build the Foundations up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau the single topmost exposed card may be moved to the Foundation or to another Tableau pile providing it is the same suit and descending sequence.  A space may not be filled by any card.  When you can't (or don't want to) make any more moves, you click the empty card at the lower left and it will collect the cards in order and redeal them into piles of 4 again (as far as the cards will go).  You may continue to redeal indefinitely (basically, when you can make no more moves you have lost).

The redeal in this game is a bit tricky.  The way it works is all cards are gathered face-up from the upper left to lower right pile with the top cards remaining on top (that is - the top leftmost exposed card will be on top of this face-up gathering).  Then the cards are redealt with 4 to a pile starting at the upper left but with the top card laid down first with the 2nd placed directly underneath that card physically and the third card placed directly underneath that, etc.  Basically, packs of four cards are removed from this newly gathered stack and placed on the table with potentially an odd number of cards in the last pile.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Yukon
Game Name:	Yukon

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

A nice open version of Klondike.

**Layout**

All the cards are dealt to the Tableau just as in Klondike but the rest of the deck is dealt face up spread evenly over all the piles except the first one.

**Object**

To move Aces to the Foundations and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

This game works somewhat like Klondike but is also related to Spider.  The object is to build up aces to kings on the Foundations.  The top card of each Tableau pile is available for building on the foundation.  Any face-up card on the table, no matter how buried (!!) may be moved to the top of another pile, providing you move the card to a place where it will have the correct downward sequence and opposite color.  Note that the cards on top of that one must move with it, but need not be of the correct sequence and alternating colors.  A space may be filled by any king in sight - no matter how many cards are on top of it - and all cards beneath it are moved with it as a unit.

**Tips**

Try hard to get as many of the face-down cards turned over as possible...

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Four Kingdoms
Game Name:	Four Kingdoms

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

Four Kingdoms is a game of my own invention which tries to reclaim some of the historical feel for the cards.  Very few truly new solitaire games are invented these days (most notable is Bowling solitaire invented by Sid Sackson).  Most are just a variation on the packing method (red on black, etc) and founding aces up to kings.  Four Kingdoms is a bit different by imposing some structure on the different cards and on combinations of cards.

Some people may not know but there are many historical figures represented in the deck.

The King of Spades is King David - father of Solomon.  The King of Hearts is King Charlemagne.  The King of Diamonds is Julius Ceasar and the King of Clubs is Alexander the Great.

The Queen of Hearts is Judith of Bavaria (the daughter-in-law of Charlemagne).  The Queen of Spades is  Pallas Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom and war).

The Jacks represent Knights (sometimes they are also referred to as Knaves).  The most famous of which is the Jack of Clubs which represents Sir Lancelot of King Arthur fame.

The suits represent structure of medieval society.  Hearts represent the church, Diamonds the merchant class, Clubs agriculture and Spades the military.

Note - Four Kingdoms can be played in either 800x600 mode or 1024x768 (preferred) mode.  The game rules remain the same in either resolution...

---- ACTUAL GAME RULES START HERE ----

In Four Kingdoms one strives to order the cards into four kingdoms (denoted by suit).  The Kings, Queens and Knights (jacks) all have their place in the Castle and they move to the appropriate "Castle" cells in sequence (King first, then queen, knight).

The game starts with 7 piles of 4 cards with only the topmost turned up (the rest are face down).  This is the Tableau or "Free Lands" as they are called in this game.  The remaining cards form the Stock which is turned over one at a time into a single Waste pile.

Dungeon . . . Tower . . . Guest Chamber . . . Castle . . . Subjects

The 10's represent Wizards and they can be placed in the appropriate "Tower" cells at any time. They can also be held on the "Free Lands" if so desired.

Aces represent dragons. Dragons are ancient creatures roaming the kingdoms. They cannot be built on and can only be moved to an open space (which renders that space effectively closed until the dragon can be banished). To banish a dragon to the appropriate "Dungeon", the King, Queen, Knight and Wizard of the same suit must already be established above. Only then can their combined power banish the dragon to the "Dungeon" which is especially designed just to hold these Aces.

A "Guest Chamber" exists which can hold any single card (except an ace) of the same suit as the rest of the kingdom row providing the King and Queen of that same suit is already positioned in the "Castle". This acts as a free cell for that suit and can be very helpful.

The "Subject" row exists for holding the 9 thru 2 of each suit. They must go in sequence (nine first) but can only go when the King, Queen and Jack of the same suit are already built into the castles -- the 10 (Wizard) does not need to be in the tower.

All table actions are carried out on the "Free Lands". A card or correct sequence of cards can be built to the bottom of another "Free Land" column providing the card is one greater and in the same suit. This packing in ascending sequence is a bit different than other games but is necessary to reverse build these to the "Subjects" piles above. A space made in the "Free Lands" may be filled with any available card or build.

The stock is turned over one at a time into a single waste pile - the top of which is always available. There is no redeal.

Although it looks difficult, when you get going sometimes things start to fall into place and an opening on the "Free Lands" or the good use of a "Guest Chamber" can go a long way to uniting the Four Kingdoms!

Four Kingdoms is Copyright 1998 by David Bernazzani

You are free to implement or include the rules of "Four Kingdoms" elsewhere providing you mention my name as the author.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


King Albert
Game Name:	King Albert

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

For the Tableau deal forty-five cards into nine piles ranging from 1 card in the first to 9 in the last.  All cards are dealt face up.  The remaining 7 cards are dealt below and form the Reserve.  All Reserve cards area available for playing to the Tableau or foundations.

**Object**

Move the Aces as they appear to the Foundations and build them up in suit to Kings.

.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can move the topmost exposed card to the foundations or to another Tableau providing it is one less in value and in alternating color.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Storehouse
Game Name:	Storehouse

Alternate Titles:	Thirteen Up, The Reserve

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

The deck is shuffled and 13 cards are dealt to the "Storehouse" (basically a Reserve) and only the top card of this pile is always available.  The 4 deuces are pulled out and start the Foundations.  A row of four cards to the right of the Reserve form the Tableau

**Object**

To take the deuces and build them up until all thirteen cards of each suit are on the Foundations (After King comes Ace which ranks highest).

**Play**

On the tableau build downward in suit.  The top cards of the Tableau are available for building on the foundation.  Any card or build can be moved according to these rules - piles are moved as a unit.  Spaces must be filled with the top card of the Storehouse until it is depleted at which time you must fill spaces from the Waste pile.

There are two redeals allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Four Seasons
Game Name:	Four Seasons

Alternate Names:	Vanishing Cross, Corner Card

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

A simple layout.  Four cards are dealt in the form of a cross.  This is the Tableau.  To one corner a single card is dealt to mark the start of the Foundation piles.

**Object**

Build up the Foundation cards in suit until the foundation pile contains 13 cards - wrapping King to Ace.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward in alternating colors.   The other cards which are the same rank as the first Foundation card are to be moved to the other corner locations (Foundations).

Cards are turned up from the Stock and played to a single Waste pile.  There is no redeal.

This game is similar to Canfield but without the Talon, and spaces can be filled by any available card.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Chameleon
Game Name:	Chameleon

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 200

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

The deck is shuffled and 12 cards are dealt to the Reserve.  The 13th card is placed above and starts the Foundation, and cards of the same rank are placed there to be built up until all thirteen cards of each suit are on the Foundations (After King comes Ace, Two, etc).  A row of three cards to the right of the Reserve form the Tableau.

**Object**

To build the foundations up to 13 cards of each suit wrapping from King to Ace as needed.

**Play**

On the Tableau, cards can be built downward regardless of suit.  The top cards of the Tableau are available for building on the foundation.  Any card or build can be moved according to these rules - piles are moved as a unit.  Spaces are filled with the top card of the reserve until it is exhausted at which time the waste can be used to fill spaces as desired.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Thumb and Pouch
Game Name:	Thumb and Pouch

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 2 without Redeals

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout and Play**

This is basically the same as Klondike but you can build downwards as long as the suits are different (not just red on black, black on red).  Additionally, a space may be filled with any available card or build (not just a King build).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Will 'O The Wisp
Game Name:	Will 'O The Wisp

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 4

Game Time:	Long

Much like Spiderette but a bit easier.  This one was invented by Albert H. Morehead & Geoffrey Mott-Smith.

**Layout**

The initial Tableau layout is three rows of seven cards the top of which is face up.

**Object**

To discard all 4 suits of King to Ace in assembled sequence.

**Play**

All building is done on the Tableau.  The top card of each pile is available for building.  Build down on the tableau in descending sequence regardless of suit.  If two or more cards are in the correct downward sequence and are in the same suit they can moved and built as a unit on another pile (so it is usually preferable to build in suit whenever possible).

When play comes to a standstill, click the stock to deal another row of cards on the existing Tableau (you are supposed to fill spaces first, but this game isn't that strict).  On the last deal, the stock will only have 3 cards and these are placed on the first three piles.

When a King to Ace sequence in suit is available, lift it to the Discard pile.  The game is won if all four suits of King to Ace are assembled and discarded.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Streets and Alleys
Game Name:	Streets and Alleys

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

The deck is dealt into 8 rows of 6 cards (four rows to either side of the foundations) with the extra four cards on each of the top 4 rows.  All Playing takes place on the Tableau and foundations (there is no Stock or Reserve).

**Object**

When the aces are available, move them to the Foundations to be built up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Only one card at a time can be moved (top of each row) but it can be moved to any other Tableau row whose top card is one higher in value (without regard to color or suit).  A space is made by clearing all cards from a row and any available card can be played there.

Cards can be built up in suit to the Foundations when they are available (top exposed card of row only).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Easthaven
Game Name:	Easthaven

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

Twenty-one cards are dealt as 7 piles of 3 cards to the Tableau.  The first two cards of each pile are face down, the last face up.  The remaining cards are placed in a Stock pile.

**Object**

To move the Aces as they become available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

Top cards of the Tableau are always available for play or moving to the Foundation.  Build on the Tableau downwards in alternating sequence and alternating color.  The topmost card or a series of cards in correct alternating sequence may be moved to a new column.  A space cleared may be filled only with a King build.  The game is won when all cards are moved to the foundations.  When play comes to a standstill, click the Stock to deal another row of cards on the existing Tableau.  On the last deal, the stock will only have 3 cards and these are placed on the first three piles.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Terrace
Game Name:	Terrace

Alternate Titles:	Queen of Italy

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 3 in 4

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

A row of 11 cards are dealt to near the top of the layout.  This is the Reserve and cannot be built on but these cards are available one at a time (topmost card available).    Below this are dealt 9 cards in a row which form the start of the Tableau.  The user must choose one of the first three cards (after inspecting them all) and play one of those first three to start the Foundation row.  The remaining cards form the Stock and are turned over one at a time to a single Waste pile.

**Object**

To move the other cards of the same rank as the first Foundation next to it and build them up in alternating color until there are 13 cards on each Foundation pile..

**Play**

On the Tableau build down in alternating colors.  Only one card at a time can be moved from pile to pile (or to the foundations).  Spaces in the tableau can only be filled from the Stock/Waste pile.  Turn cards over from the Stock one at a time and place them in a single wastepile.  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Fortress
Game Name:	Fortress

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 10

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

The deck is dealt into 10 rows of 5 cards (five rows to either side of the foundations) with the extra 2 cards on each of the top 2 rows.  All playing takes place on the Tableau and Foundations (there is no Stock or Reserve).

**Object**

When the aces are available, move them to the foundations to be built up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Only one card at a time can be moved (top of each row) but it can be moved to any other Tableau row whose top card is one higher OR one lower in value and in the same suit.  You can build up on one row and down on another as desired.  A space is made by clearing all cards from a row and any available card can be played there.

Cards can be built up in suit to the Foundations when they are available (top card of row only).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Carpet
Game Name:	Carpet

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 3 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

A clever game with lots of Reserve piles...

**Layout**

Twenty cards are dealt into 4 rows of 5 cards.  This is the Reserve and all of these cards are available (no building can be done on these cards - they can be moved to the Foundations only).  The rest of the deck is the Stock.

**Object**

Move the Aces when they appear to the Foundation to be built up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

When a Reserve card is moved to the Foundation, it can be replaced by the top of the Waste pile.

Turn the Stock over to a single Waste pile one card at a time.  The top of the Waste pile is available for playing to the foundations or to spaces in the reserve.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Batsford
Game Name:	Batsford

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

Batsford is very similar to Gargantua but with a nice twist of 3 King-Reserve piles!

**Layout**

Basically, the same as Klondike but with 10 rows and a double set of Foundation rows.

**Object**

Move the 8 aces as they become available to the Foundation row and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Build down on the Tableau in descending sequence and alternating suit color.  A correct sequence of cards can be moved as a unit providing they are in correct descending sequence and alternating suit colors.  A space cleared may be filled by a king or a build with a king on the bottom.  Stock cards are turned one at a time.  The difference between this game and Gargantua is that no redeal is allowed but there are 3 special reserve piles at the bottom of the layout which you can place Kings there (no other card except kings can go there).  You can hold the Kings on these piles as long as desired which helps free up the main Tableau.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Black Hole
Game Name:	Black Hole

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 20

Game Time:	Ave

Black Hole was invented by David Parlett and is described in his excellent book "Solitaire - Aces Up & 399 Other Card Games".

**Layout**

The Ace of Spades is founded to start the Black Hole and orbiting around it is 17 fans of 3 cards each - the top of which is available for play on the black hole.

**Object**

Black Hole resembles Golf in that the goal is to reduce all cards to a single Waste pile (the Black Hole).

**Play**

Move cards to the Black Hole if they are one higher or one lower in value with ranking continuous King-Ace-Two (that is, you can build K-A-2 or 2-A-K).  You can reverse direction as often as you like.  Look carefully at the Tableau before you make any moves to try and maximize the number of cards you can sink into the Black Hole.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Eight Off
Game Name:	Eight Off

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	4 in 5

Game Time:	Long

**Layout**

On the Tableau there are 8 piles of 6 cards with 8 free cells above this layout.  The last 4 cards of the deck are dealt one to each of the first four free cells.

**Object**

The object is simple, to move the Aces to the Foundation row and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can build downward in suit.  Strictly speaking, only the topmost card can be moved to another Tableau pile however a build of cards in correct suit sequence can be moved to other parts of the Tableau providing there are enough freecells available to make the move (this saves you the time from moving the cards up and then back down again).  A single topmost card can be moved to and from the eight holding areas at the top of the screen (known as "free cells").  The game starts with 4 of these cells filled.  A space in the Tableau can only be filled by a King.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Nestor
Game Name:	Nestor

Alternate Names:	Matrimony

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Quick

**Layout**

Nester is played with 8 piles of 6 cards (for a total of 48) with 4 cards spread below the Tableau to form the Reserve.  When dealing the 8 main piles, if two cards of the same rank turn up in the same pile, the second is moved to the back of the pack.  This game attempts to do just that but there are very rare circumstances when this cannot be avoided (if lots of duplicate rank cards turn up in the last pile) but the game will warn the user if this occurs.

**Object**

To discard all the cards in pairs of the same rank.

**Play**

The bottom of each pile and all four cards below the tableau are available.  Discard pairs of the same rank.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Wave Motion Solitaire
Game Name:	Wave Motion Solitaire

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Long

Wave Motion Solitaire is a game of my own invention which blends the elements of Freecell with non-foundation building games such as Scorpion.

The game consists of two distinct Tableaus - one of which acts as a reserve where all the cards are dealt initially.  On the "lower" tableau all the cards are dealt into 8 piles with 6 cards to each pile except the first 4 piles which receive an extra card each (for a total of 52).  From this "lower" tableau, you cannot build but you can take the lowest exposed card of each pile and move it to the "upper" tableau where it can be built to an empty space (always) or to an existing pile where the card is one lower and the same suit (a seven of Hearts can be built on an eight of Hearts).  You can also build any card or correct sequence of cards from one pile of the upper tableau to another pile of the upper tableau.  There is no Foundation - the object is to assemble 4 piles of 13 cards from King down to Ace in suit (known as "Waves").

This may seem very difficult, but the object is to start building a suit which does not have too many cards buried and work from there.  Often you will need to work on two suits simultaneously to really get things going so take a long look at the lower tableau before making any moves and always try to move as many cards as you can to the upper tableau while maximizing the number of upper tableau spaces you keep open.  With some skill and correct choosing of the suits to work on first, you should do well.

In addition, (as a bonus) if two or more cards are in correct sequence on the "lower" tableau then they can be moved as a unit to the upper tableau. This may seem like a small reward, but it can help!

Since there are no foundation piles, double clicking on a card works a bit differently in this game.  When you double click on a card, it will move it to the upper foundation to a card one greater and in suit (if possible) or if not then to an open space (if possible).  This saves quite a bit of time in moving the cards from the lower foundation to the upper foundation.

I'm sure some of you might wonder about the name of this Solitaire. There was an excellent series of Japanese Animation called "Star Blazers" which came out in the early 80's when I was a kid (OK - ok... so I *still* like it). In this series a group of individuals called the Star Force fought to save the Earth from alien destruction in the year 2099. Their spaceship was an ancient but fully restored and futuristically-updated battleship called the Yamato (Argo in English version). The Yamato symbolized the hopes of all mankind and among the many special enhancements on-board was something called the Wave Motion Engine (which allowed space warps) and the Wave Motion Gun (which was basically the same thing but channeling the energy forward for attack and defense use). I liked the term "Wave Motion" and decided there ought to be a solitaire which bore this name.

Wave Motion Solitaire is Copyright 1998 by David Bernazzani

You are free to implement or include the rules of "Wave Motion Solitaire" elsewhere providing you mention my name as the author.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Moojub
Game Name:	Moojub

Alternate Names:	None (would you need one with that title)

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 2

Game Time:	Ave

Moojub is a most unusual game invented by Albert H. Morehead & Geoffrey Mott-Smith.  This one has more foundations than any other game I've seen.

**Object**

To move all cards to the "Foundation" rows.

**Layout and Play**

Four cards are placed vertically to the left which starts the Reserve.  You can move any of these reserve card up to the first "foundation" row (top left of the large tableau grid) providing it is the smallest of all the cards on the reserve of the same suit.

Below that first "foundation" card, you can put any other card of different suit with the proviso that it is the smallest of its suit on the reserve.  On these foundation cards you can build up in suit wrapping from King to Ace as necessary.

When you made as many foundations as possible and played up what you can, four additional cards are dealt to the reserve row and you continue to build to the foundations and create new foundations.  You can continue to create "foundations" as follows:

Once you have 4 different-suit cards in the first foundation column, you can start another by moving a card of the same suit as the first foundation next to it on the second column.  You must always start at the top of each foundation pile and work down (so if you started with a Spades foundation, you must start the second foundation column with a Spade).  Only on the first foundation pile can you select the order of suits - after that they are fixed horizontally.

Continue to deal 1 cards onto the each of the 4 Reserve piles and play what you can.  You win if you get all cards onto the "foundations".

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Fourteen Out
Game Name:	Fourteen Out

Alternate Names:	Fourteen Puzzle, Take Fourteen

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

All cards are dealt face up to 12 piles.  Four on all piles except the first 4 piles which contain 5 cards.  The topmost exposed card of each pile is available.

**Object**

To discard all cards in pairs totaling 14.

**Play**

Discard pairs of cards totaling 14 (Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13).   You win if you discard all the cards.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Betsy Ross
Game Name:	Betsy Ross

Alternate Titles:	Musical Patience, Quadruple Alliance, Four Kings

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

This is another patience game (much like Calculation) which builds each of the foundations by different interval values.

**Layout**

Any Ace, Two, Three and Four are placed above the Foundation piles.  These are indicator cards and show the player how each of the Foundation piles are to be built up (the first by 1's, the second by 2's, the third by 3's and the fourth by 4's).

Any two, four, six and eight are placed on the Foundations to start them (which helps).

**Object**

To build up the Foundations in sequence (see below) so that each Foundation pile contains 13 cards.

**Play**

Cards are turned one at a time from the Stock to a single Waste pile which is spread so that all cards can be seen.  The top of this Waste pile is available to be moved to the Foundations.  When building on the foundations, suits do not matter.  The first foundation pile is built by ones (A,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,J,Q,K).  The second foundation pile by twos (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q, A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K).  The third by threes (3, 6, 9, Q, 2, 5, 8, J, A, 4, 7, 10, K) and the last by fours (4, 8, Q, 3, 7, J, 2, 6, 10, A, 5, 9, K).

There are 2 redeals allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Sultan
Game Name:	Sultan

Alternate Titles:	Sultan of Turkey,  Emperor of Germany

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	2 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

Sultan looks complex but is really a simple and good game.  The layout is great.

**Layout**

The 8 Kings are arranged with a King of Hearts in the center (this King of Hearts is the Sultan and no cards are ever built on this one).  Below the center Heart king is a single Ace of Hearts.

**Object**

All Kings are built up in suit (wrapping from King to Ace) until they are all Queens and the single Ace is built up in suit to Queen.  If all goes well, a single Sultan is surrounded by 8 queens at the end.

**Play**

On either side of the center cards are two columns of cards (1 card in each spot).  This is called the "divan" and all these cards are available for playing but nothing may be placed directly on them.  The stock is turned over to a single Waste pile.  Fill empty spaces in the "divan" from the top of the waste.  Two redeals are allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Frog
Game Name:	Frog

Alternate Titles:	Toad

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 6

Game Time:	Long

Frog is a cross between Canfield and Sir Tommy.  It's really a two deck version of Sir Tommy but with a Reserve pile.  A close relative of Frog is the Fly.  In the Fly, you don't have to build foundations in suit (which makes it easier than this game).

**Layout**

A single Reserve of 13 cards is dealt with only the top card showing.  The top of this reserve pile (called the "Frog") is always available for building to the foundations.  If any Aces turn up in this 13 card reserve, they are instead moved to the foundation row immediately.  If no aces turn up, a single ace is found and placed to start the first Foundation.

**Object**

The object is to build the 8 Foundation piles up from Aces to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Cards are turned over one at a time and placed to any of 5 Tableau piles without restriction.  The top cards of this tableau are always available for playing to the foundations.  No additional card movements may take place from tableau pile to tableau pile.  You will need to reserve at least one pile just for high cards (Kings, Queens, etc).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Baker's Game
Game Name:	Baker's Game

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Long

This is the forerunner of Freecell and is only slightly different in that you must build down in suit on the tableau.

**Layout**

On the Tableau there are 8 piles of 6 cards with 4 freecells above this layout.  The last 4 cards of the deck are dealt one to each of the first four Tableau piles.

**Object**

The object is simple, to move the Aces to the Foundation row and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can build downward in suit.  Strictly speaking, only the topmost card can be moved to another Tableau pile however a build of cards in correct suit sequence can be moved to other parts of the Tableau providing there are enough freecells available to make the move (this saves you the time from moving the cards up and then back down again).  A single topmost card can be moved to and from the four holding areas at the top of the screen (known as "free cells").  A space in the Tableau may be filled with any card.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Reserve

The Reserve is a set of cards which are always available for building to Foundations or to the Tableau.


Thanks to All
I want to thank everyone who sent me feedback on the previous versions of this program.  It takes quite a bit of effort to write these games and it helps when encouraging emails are received.  In addition, reported problems with previous versions get fixed and make new versions that much stronger.  I want to especially thank the beta team who were all willing to take pre-release versions of the program and help weed out as many problems as possible in a short time.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Standard menu keyboard accelerators are in place (for example, ALT-F N would select a new random game).  In addition, F1 will bring up game help, F2 will select a new game and Backspace will process Undo (if available).  See the Game menu for each game for a list of other keyboard shortcuts that can be used.


Game Options and Card Selection

Some games have additional options accessible from the File menu.  Most games feature a single level of Undo accessed from the File menu.  This should be enough to correct any mistakes made during play but not enough to allow a player to completely reverse his or her fortunes (then statistics become meaningless).  The current game number you are playing is located in the title bar of the game window.  You can select any game to play from the "New - Select" File menu.  A set of statistics for your gameplay is also located under the File menu.  You can clear out statistics for any game from the Main Statistics dialog box (accessed from the main Solitude menu of games).  An additional tip - you can click the right-mouse button on any card to get more information about it (this can help if a card is partially buried and you can't see the what suit it is).

To select any card or card pile in the game simply click on it.  If it is a card, it will change to a selection color (inverse color).

Double clicking on any card for most games will typically try to move that card to an available foundation pile.


Recommendations for Picking a Game

The games included with Solitude for Windows represent a small sampling of all solitaire games available.  However, even within the list of games provided by Solitude there are some which stand above the others as the best of the best.  Many are perennial favorites which never seem to loose popularity.  Here is my list of recommendations for those looking for a game or two to start with.

1.  Klondike - An extremely popular game probably being the best known Solitaire game in existence.

2.  Canfield - An excellent alternative to Klondike (a distance cousin) with the addition of a Reserve pile.

3.  Napoleon - My favorite 2 deck game with a simple and clean layout and easy building rules.

4.  Spider - Many claim this to be the king of all solitaire games.  This takes quite a bit of mental energy but the end result is worth it.

5.  Golf - A simple game where instead of building to foundations one builds to a single waste pile.

6.  Pyramid - A great elimination game where the object is to discard cards totaling 13.

7.  Flower Garden - A well known game and a real pleasure to play.


For the Technically Minded

Solitude was developed as a hobby-project to help me learn Windows programming.  It was written originally in Turbo C++ 4.5 but was quickly ported to Microsoft Visual C++ 4.XX and finally Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0.

The card faces are taken from VBCARDS.DLL which was done by Richard R. Sands. I have cleaned up the diamond shapes on those cardfaces.

Each time Solitude "shuffles" the cards, there are 2500 card movements to ensure randomness in the "deck".

There are approximately 8.065817517094e+067 different shuffle outcomes with a real deck of 52 cards.  In Solitude, the number of shuffles is 4 billion (this is how big the seed to the random number generator is so it was easy to use).  Even at 4 billion games, if you played 1 game every minute of every hour of every day you would need almost 8000 years to exhaust all the different shuffles.

I estimate Solitude has taken me more than 400 hours to develop.  Originally it started out in 1995 but most of the effort has taken place in 1997-1998.

Now that the core development is done, a new game takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to develop depending on the complexity (this includes help file and a quick test of the program).

As of the time of this writing, I estimate that I have approximately 50-100 people downloading Solitude each day.  At this rate, I'll have 1 billion users in a little more than 10 million years!

Each Solitude game can stand-alone.  If you want to just take one or two games and place them on a laptop, you just need to find the correctly named executable (for example:  KLONDIKE.EXE) and you need the SOLTBMPS.DLL for the card faces.  You may also want to take the SOLITUDE.HLP file for game help.


Fire And Ice
Game Name:	Fire And Ice

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	2 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

This is a game of my own invention.  There are no foundations and all operations are carried out on the tableau piles.  A harder version can be found in the game Icicles...

**Layout**

All cards from a single shuffled deck are dealt evenly to 10 Tableau piles with an extra card in the first and last pile (6 cards on the first and last piles, 5 on all the others). All cards are face up and overlapping but only the bottommost exposed card is available for play. A small gap should separate the first five piles from the second five piles. All operations are carried out on these 10 piles.

**Object**

All red cards (diamonds and hearts) are known as Fire cards. All black cards (Clubs and Spades) are known as Ice cards. The left most five piles are "Fire" piles and the rightmost 5 piles are "Ice" piles. The object is to move all red (Fire) cards to the left and all black (Ice) cards to the right. You get one point for each Fire card on the left and one point for each Ice card on the right. You win if you get all the cards to their proper side.

**Play**

On the tableau, build down regardless of suit and you can move any single exposed card or a pile of any length that is in correct downwards sequence (suits do not matter for building). This game should be won more often than not.

Fire and Ice solitaire is Copyright 1998 by David Bernazzani

You are free to implement or include the rules of "Fire and Ice Solitaire" elsewhere providing you mention my name as the author.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Stonewall
Game Name:	Stonewall

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

An excellent game and a cousin to King Albert.

**Layout**

On the Tableau deal six overlapping rows of six cards.  The first, third and fifth are face up and all others are face down.  The remaining 16 cards are dealt face up at the bottom and form a Reserve pile.  All of the reserve cards are always available.

**Object**

The object is simple, to move the Aces to the Foundation row and build them up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can build downward in alternating suit color.  You can move one card or a pile of cards providing they are in downward alternating sequence (and cannot contain a face down card!).  When a face down card is exposed, you can turn it up.  A space in the Tableau may be filled with any card or build.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Rank and File
Game Name:	Rank and File

Alternate Titles:	Emperor

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 75

Game Time:	Long

This is directly related to Napoleon at St. Helena but with the first three rows dealt face down and building on the Tableau in alternating color.

**Layout**

The 2 decks are shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Ten piles of four cards each are formed with the first three of each pile face down.  The top of each pile is available for moving.   Above the Tableau is the Foundation, and the Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.   Near the bottom is a Stock pile, a Talon and a Waste pile.

**Object**

To found all 8 aces and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

As you click on the Stock pile it will turn over onto the Talon card pile (which will only contain a single card) and any card on the Talon pile will move to the Waste pile.  Both the talon card and the top of the waste pile are available for play (Basically, the talon acts as a second mini-waste pile allowing two cards to be seen before any action is decided upon).

Available cards can be moved directly to the Foundations for building.  Cards can also be built on the Tableau in descending sequence and alternating color (that is - A Queen of Clubs can be built on a King of Hearts).  Once a Tableau spot is cleared of cards, any available card may be moved there.  Remember, only the top card of each Tableau pile can be moved.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Pluto
Game Name:	Pluto

Alternate Names:	Square

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	2 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

Pluto is similar to Deuces.  The main difference is that the foundations (which are also deuces) are not placed on the foundations to start the game.  There are also 12 piles instead of 10.

**Layout**

Twelve cards are dealt 1 to each of twelve piles.  This forms the Tableau and a double set of Foundation rows are placed above those cards where deuces will go when available.

**Object**

To move each deuce to the Foundation and build each deuce up to Ace (which ranks above Kings as the highest card) in suit.

**Play**

Build down on the tableau in descending sequence and in suit.  A correct sequence of cards can be moved as a unit providing they are in correct descending sequence and suit.  A space cleared may be filled only by the top of the waste pile - never from the tableau.  Stock cards are turned one at a time and placed into a single Waste pile.  Two redeals are allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Deuces
Game Name:	Deuces

Alternate Names:	Les Duex, Twos

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	3 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

Deuces is similar to Gargantua (which is a double deck version of Klondike).   The main difference is that the foundations are deuces and are taken out of the deck and placed on the foundations to start the game.

**Layout**

Ten cards are dealt 1 to each of ten piles.  This forms the Tableau and a double set of Foundation rows are placed above those cards with deuces founded immediately.

**Object**

To build each deuce up to Ace (which ranks above Kings as the highest card) in suit.

**Play**

Build down on the tableau in descending sequence and in suit.  A correct sequence of cards can be moved as a unit providing they are in correct descending sequence and suit.  A space cleared may be filled only by the top of the waste pile - never from the tableau.  Stock cards are turned one at a time and placed into a single Waste pile.  Two redeals are allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Shamrocks
Game Name:	Shamrocks

Alternate Names:	Three Card Fan

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

This is a classic "fan" type game where cards are spread in piles of three to form fans.  The top cards of these fans are exposed and available for play.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of the entire deck being dealt face up to 17 fans.  If any Kings cover any card of the same suit, the King is transferred to the bottom of that pile.  A King cannot be allowed on top of a card of the same suit or blocks will result.  There will be three cards to each fan except the last fan which contains only one card to start.  Above the Tableau is the Foundation row.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau fans you build up or down regardless of suit but moving only one card at a time.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved.  A fan may never contain more than 3 cards.  A space cleared on the Tableau is never filled.  There is no reshuffle and no redeal.

**Tips**

The game cannot be started unless there is an ace on the top of some pile (since you can never have more than 3 cards to a fan and they are all filled to begin with you must start the game by playing one card off to the Foundation).  If no ace appears, simply redeal and try your luck again.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Simple Simon
Game Name:	Simple Simon

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 8

Game Time:	Long

Played much like Spiderette except all cards are visible to start the game.

**Layout**

The initial Tableau layout 8 piles of cards with 10 in the first, 9 in the second, etc down to 3 in the 8th.  All 52 cards are dealt face up.  There are no Foundations.

**Object**

To assemble all 4 suits of King to Ace in suit and assembled sequence.

**Play**

All building is done on the Tableau.  The top card of each pile is available for building.  Build down on the tableau in descending sequence regardless of suit.  If two or more cards are in the correct downward sequence and are in the same suit they can moved and built as a unit on another pile (so it is usually preferable to build in suit whenever possible).

When all four King to Ace sequences (in suit) are assembled - the game is won.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Lady Betty
Game Name:	Lady Betty

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Quick

A close cousin to Sir Tommy.

**Layout**

Four Foundation piles and six Tableau piles - all empty to start.

**Object**

Move the  four aces as the become available to a Foundation and build up to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Cards are turned one at a time from the Stock and must be moved immediately to the Tableau.  The cards can be placed on any of the six tableau piles and there are no restrictions on placing the cards there.  Move cards as they are available to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Icicles
Game Name:	Icicles

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 15

Game Time:	Ave

This is a game based on Fire and Ice and invented by Burton Leathers.  Kind thanks to Burton for suggesting it.  There are no foundations and all operations are carried out on the tableau piles.  The original (and easier) version of this game is Fire and Ice.  This version requires that all table building be done "in color" -- that is red on red and black on black.

**Layout**

All cards from a single shuffled deck are dealt evenly to 10 Tableau piles with an extra card in the first and last pile (6 cards on the first and last piles, 5 on all the others). All cards are face up and overlapping but only the bottommost exposed card is available for play. A small gap should separate the first five piles from the second five piles. All operations are carried out on these 10 piles.

**Object**

All red cards (diamonds and hearts) are known as Fire cards. All black cards (Clubs and Spades) are known as Ice cards. The left most five piles are "Fire" piles and the rightmost 5 piles are "Ice" piles. The object is to move all red (Fire) cards to the left and all black (Ice) cards to the right. You get one point for each Fire card on the left and one point for each Ice card on the right. You win if you get all the cards to their proper side.

**Play**

On the tableau, build down and only build within the same color suits (black on black, red on red) and you can move any single exposed card or a pile of any length that is in correct downwards sequence and color. This game should be won more often than not.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Fly
Game Name:	Fly

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 4

Game Time:	Long

Fly is a close cousin to Frog (both have the same type of  Reserve pile).   In the Fly, you don't have to build foundations in suit (which makes it easier than Frog).

**Layout**

A single Reserve of 13 cards is dealt with only the top card showing.  The top of this reserve pile (called the "Frog") is always available for building to the foundations.  If any Aces turn up in this 13 card reserve, they are instead moved to the foundation row immediately.  If no aces turn up, a single ace is found and placed to start the first Foundation.

**Object**

The object is to build the 8 Foundation piles up from Aces to Kings regardless of suit.

**Play**

Cards are turned over one at a time and placed to any of 5 Tableau piles without restriction.  The top cards of this tableau are always available for playing to the foundations.  No additional card movements may take place from tableau pile to tableau pile.  You will need to reserve at least one pile just for high cards (Kings, Queens, etc).

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Six By Six
Game Name:	Six By Six

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

A most excellent game where the Stock is actually turned over not to a Waste pile but to the first Tableau column.

**Layout**

Six cards each are dealt to six piles for a total Tableau of thirty-six cards (hence the name).  Above these are the Foundation piles.  As the 36 cards are being dealt, if any aces turn up they are moved immediately to the Foundation row and are replaced with the next card from the deck.  No other cards except aces may be transferred to the foundation during the deal.

**Object**

To place the aces on the Foundation and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward regardless of suit.  A single card can always be moved but a build in correct downwards sequence and suit can be moved as a unit to another pile (so prefer to build in suit even though it is not required).  A space cleared can be filled with any available card or build.

Cards are turned up from the Stock and are placed on the exposed card of first column!!  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Pas Seul
Game Name:	Pas Seul

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 2

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

A simple layout.  Six cards are dealt to the Tableau one card in each pile.   Above this are four piles which make up the Foundation piles.

**Object**

To place the aces on the Foundation and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward in alternating colors.   A single card or a build in correct downwards sequence and suit can be moved as a unit to another pile.  A space cleared can be filled with any available card or build.

Cards are turned up from the Stock and played to a single Waste pile.  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Thirty Six
Game Name:	Thirty Six

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

Six cards each are dealt to six piles for a total Tableau of thirty-six cards (hence the name).  Above these are the Foundation piles.  As the 36 cards are being dealt, if any aces turn up they are moved immediately to the Foundation row and are replaced with the next card from the deck.  No other cards except aces may be transferred to the foundation during the deal.

**Object**

To place the aces on the Foundation and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward regardless of suit.  A single card or a build in correct downwards sequence can be moved as a unit to another pile.  A space cleared can be filled with any available card or build.

Cards are turned up from the Stock and played to a single Waste pile.  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Tam O' Shanter
Game Name:	Tam O' Shanter

Alternate Titles:	Patience

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 8000

Game Time:	Quick

This is the harder (!!!) version of Auld Lang Syne.  It's basically the same game but the four aces are not on the Foundations at the start of the game.  I've never known anyone to beat this game.

**Layout**

At the top of the layout are the four Foundation piles.  The rest of the cards form the Stock.

**Object**

To build Aces on the Foundation and build them up in suit to Kings in suit.

**Play**

Cards are turned up from the Stock in batches of four and any exposed card can be built to the foundations in sequence but suit does not matter.  Once all cards that can be built are moved up, deal another batch of four and build again.  Any cards exposed from moving a card up become available for building on the Foundation.  There is no movement in the Tableau itself.  Deal until all cards have been moved to the Tableau in batches of four.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Penguin
Game Name:	Penguin

Alternate Names:

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 2

Game Time:	Ave

Penguin was invented by David Parlett and is described in his excellent book "Solitaire - Aces Up & 399 Other Card Games".

**Layout**

On the Tableau there are 7 piles of 7 cards with 7 free cells above this layout (known as the flipper).  The first card dealt to the tableau is known as the Penguin and the other three cards of the same rank are moved to the foundations as they are dealt (you then fill in the tableau slot with the next card so that the 7 piles have an even 7 cards each).

**Object**

The object is simple, to move the Penguin card to the the Foundation row (along with it's brothers) and build them all up in suit and sequence until each pile contains 13 cards.  You may wrap from King to Aces as needed.

**Play**

On the Tableau you can build downward in suit wrapping from Ace to King as needed.  A build of cards in correct suit sequence can be moved to other parts of the Tableau.  A single topmost card can be moved to and from the flipper holding areas at the top of the screen (also known as "free cells").  A space in the Tableau can only be filled by a card one lower in value (wrapping King to Ace as needed) than the Penguin card.  The game is won when all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Good Measure
Game Name:	Good Measure

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

Related to Baker's Dozen.  Classic and simple.

**Layout**

Ten piles of five cards are dealt.  Two aces are founded automatically to the Foundation piles.  After the deal, all four kings are moved to the bottom of their piles.

**Object**

To build the Aces up in suit to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward regardless of suits.   Only a single card be moved to another pile.  A space cleared is not filled.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Baker's Dozen
Game Name:	Baker's Dozen

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 2 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

A classic open game.

**Layout**

Thirteen piles of four cards are dealt to the Tableau.  After the deal, all four kings are moved to the bottom of their piles.  Above the Tableau are the Foundation piles.

**Object**

To place the Aces on the Foundations and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward regardless of suits.   Only a single card be moved to another pile.  A space cleared is not filled.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Lucas
Game Name:	Lucas

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 3

Game Time:	Long

Very similar to Napoleon at St. Helena but played with 13 piles of three cards instead of 10 piles of four.

**Layout**

The 2 decks are shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Thirteen piles of three cards each are formed.  The top of each pile is available for moving.   Above the Tableau is the Foundation, and the Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.   Near the bottom is a Stock pile, a Talon and a Waste pile.

**Object**

To found all 8 aces and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

As you click on the stock pile it will turn over onto the talon card pile (which will only contain a single card) and any card on the talon pile will move to the waste pile.  Both the talon card and the top of the waste pile are available for play (Basically, the talon acts as a second mini-waste pile allowing two cards to be seen before any action is decided upon).

Available cards can be moved directly to the Foundations for building.  Cards can also be built on the Tableau in descending sequence and in the same suit (that is - A Queen of Clubs can be built on a King of Clubs).  Once a Tableau spot is cleared of cards, any available card may be moved there.  Remember, only the top card of each Tableau pile can be moved.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Simplicity
Game Name:	Simplicity

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	7 in 8

Game Time:	Quick

A rather simple and fun game.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of twelve cards dealt face up with 1 card to each of 12 piles.  To save space, usually 2 rows of 6 are dealt.  The remaining cards form the Stock and are turned over one at a time to a single Waste pile.  Turn the thirteenth card over and place it above the Tableau to form the first card of the Foundation.

**Object**

Move the other three cards of the same rank as the first foundation card and build each pile up in suit until it contains 13 cards (wrapping from King to Aces as needed).

**Play**

Top cards are always available for play or moving to the Foundation.  Build on the Tableau downwards in alternating sequence and color - and a King may be played on an ace.  Only the topmost card may be moved to a new pile.  A space cleared may be filled with any available card.  The game is won when all cards are moved to the foundations.  There is no redeal.

**Tips**

Once you get a few open spaces, the game's a breeze.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Bristol
Game Name:	Bristol

Alternate Names:	None

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 4

Game Time:	Ave

This unique game is an invention of Albert H. Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith and is described in their excellent book "The Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games".

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of eight fans of 3 cards each all dealt face up (fans are cards spread overlapping horizontally with only the top right-most card available for play).  If any Kings appear, they are transferred to the bottom of their pile.  The remaining cards form the Stock and are turned over three at a time to a three separate Waste piles.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

Top cards are always available for play or moving to the Foundation.  Build on the Tableau downwards in alternating sequence and color.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved to a new pile or the foundation.  A space cleared on the Tableau is never filled.  Cards are turned up from the stock in batches of three and laid one on each of 3 waste piles (spread downwards).  The exposed cards of this wastepile are always available.  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Dutchess
Game Name:	Dutchess

Alternate Titles:	Glenwood

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

**Layout**

A reserve of 12 cards is dealt in four fans of three cards.  This is the Reserve and cannot be built on but the exposed right-most cards are available for play.    Beside the reserve piles four cards are dealt face up one to each of four piles.  This is the start of the Tableau.  The user must choose one of these first four cards (after inspecting them all) and play one of those cards to start the Foundation row.  The remaining cards form the Stock and are turned over one at a time to a single Waste pile.

**Object**

To move the other cards of the same rank as the first Foundation next to it and build them up in suit until there are 13 cards on each Foundation pile.  Ace may follow King.

**Play**

On the Tableau build down in alternating colors.  Piles of cards in correct downward sequence and alternating color can be moved as a unit from pile to pile (but only single cards can be moved to the Foundations).  Spaces in the tableau can only be filled from the Reserve pile and when that is exhausted from the  Stock/Waste pile.  Turn cards over from the Stock one at a time and place them in a single wastepile.  There is 1 redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Send Me Your Odds!

When there were only 3 games to Solitude (way back when...) it was easy for me to give win odds for the games.  When it jumped to 7 games, I needed a bit of help from my friends who were kind enough to play some of the games and give me an idea as to the win odds.  Now there are 91 games and many I've only played once or twice to see if I got the game rules right.  I can only guess as to the win odds on many of these games but I wanted to keep that feature of Solitude available since many of you seem to like seeing the odds in the main menu (and help file).  So, if you have played any game more than, say, 30 times, please email me and let me know what your win percentage was so I can keep the statistics up to date.  It doesn't matter if you don't think you are a good player of that particular game, I'll average all statistics I get!  The only games I don't need statistics for (but feel free to email me anyway) are:  Klondike, Spider, Clock, Canfield, Golf, Freecel, Gargantua, Wave Motion Solitaire, Four Kingdoms.  Send me any info you can on the others!

From the main solitude games menu you can select File/Statistics to see all your stats at a glance and copy them to the clipboard for easy emailing.


La Belle Lucie
Game Name:	La Belle Lucie

Alternate Names:	The Fan, Clover Leaf, Midnight Oil, Alexander the Great

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 10

Game Time:	Ave

This is a classic "fan" type game where cards are spread in piles of three to form fans.  The top cards of these fans are exposed and available for play.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of the entire deck being dealt face up to 17 fans.  There will be three cards to each fan except the last fan which contains only one card to start.  Above the Tableau is the Foundation row.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau fans you build down in suit moving only one card at a time.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved.  A space cleared on the Tableau is never filled.  After play has come to a standstill, gather up all the Fan cards on the Tableau and shuffle and redeal them three to a fan as far as they will go (the last pile may be only 1 or 2 cards).  Play again.  You get 2 such redeals total.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Trefoil
Game Name:	Trefoil

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

This is a "fan" type quite similar to "La Belle Lucie" where cards are spread in piles of three to form fans.  The top cards of these fans are exposed and available for play.

**Layout**

The aces are removed from the deck and placed one each on the Foundation row to start the game.  The Tableau consists of the entire deck being dealt face up to 16 fans.  There will be three cards to each fan to start.

**Object**

Build each ace on the Foundation up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau fans you build down in suit moving only one card at a time.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved.  A space cleared on the Tableau is never filled.  After play has come to a standstill, gather up all the Fan cards on the Tableau and shuffle and redeal them three to a fan as far as they will go (the last pile may be only 1 or 2 cards).  Play again.  You get 2 such releals total.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


German Patience
Game Name:	German Patience

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 15

Game Time:	Long

German Patience is a strange game with some interesting features.

**Object**

There are no "Foundations" in this game.  The object is to order 8 piles of 13 cards in ascending sequence but regardless of suit.  The final result would be 8 piles of 13 cards for a total score of 104.

**Layout and Play**

Eight cards are placed on the table to start.  Build each up regardless of suit and wrapping from King to Ace as necessary.  Do this until each pile contains 13 cards.  Turn cards over from the stock into a single wastepile - the top of which is always available.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Cribbage Solitaire
Game Name:	Cribbage Solitaire

Alternate Names:	Cribbage Squares

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	Ave 60

Game Time:	Quick

**Layout**

A very different type of game similar to the wonderful Poker Squares solitaire.  The Tableau has a 4x4 grid where you will turn up and play a single card to a single grid square until the entire 4x4 grid has a card.

**Play**

You can place the cards from the Stock in any grid square of your choosing.  Only one card per Tableau square is allowed.  You are finished when all 16 Tableau grid squares are filled.  At that time, you turn up a 17th card which acts as a starter card and is scored in combination with each grid row and column.

**Object**

The goal is to produce 8 high-scoring cribbage hands from the four horizontal rows and the four vertical columns plus the starter card (which is common to all columns and rows).  Scoring is as in standard cribbage and you get points for combinations of the following:

Hand	Score
Fifteen	2
Pair	2
Three of a Kind	6
Four of a Kind	12
Run 1-2-3	3
Run 1-2-3-4	4
Same Suit	4 + 1 if match starter
Run 1-2-3-4-5	5
Right Jack	1
Jack Starter Card (Nobs)	2

All other hands score 0.  Consider yourself excellent if you get 80+ points!

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Peek
Game Name:	Peek

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

The same game as the excellent Osmosis except that the reserve piles are spread out so you can see them.  This helps you make decisions that may prevent blocks in the game.  Lots of action takes place on the Foundations instead of the Tableau.

**Layout and Play**

The goal is to get 4 sets of 13 cards to the foundations which are spread out horizontally.  A single card dealt to the top Foundation row starts the first of the foundations and any card of the same suit (value order does not matter) can be placed alongside it.  When the base value card of another suit appears, it can be placed on the foundation row below it.  Then additional cards of that suit can be placed there providing there is an equal value card on the foundation row above it (they do not have to match the same order - but the base value card must be placed first).

To the left of the foundation piles are 4 piles containing 4 cards each - spread slightly so you can see them.   This is your Reserve and only the top of these cards is always available for play to the foundation rows.  The Stock is turned over in batches of 3 to a single Waste pile and the top of the Waste pile is always available for play.  You may redeal indefinitely.

**Tips**

After just a few games you will discover that the top couple of rows fill in quickly (the top row especially).  It gets difficult to fill in the lower rows because you need the starter value card to appear first and you can't build any cards unless the same value card appears in the row directly above it.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Gaps
Game Name:	Gaps

Alternate Names:	Montana

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 20

Game Time:	Ave

A monstrous game which shuffles the cards from gap to gap attempting to build up sequences...

**Layout and Play**

The goal is to get 4 sets of 13 cards assembled in suit, horizontally on the Tableau.  There are no Foundations in this game.  All action takes place on the Tableau.  All 52 cards are dealt into 4 long rows of 13 cards.  Aces are discarded to a waste pile forming 4 gaps in the layout.  Into each gap, you may place a card which is one less than and of the same suit as the card immediately to the gap's left.  If it is the left-most gap of a row, only a 2 may be place there (of any suit).  A King will, of course, block a gap.  Once a gap has a King to the left of it, no further building can be done into that gap.  When you can play no further (which will only happen when you have all King-Gaps) you can hit the redeal pile to pick-up all cards not in proper suit-sequence starting with a deuce (2) in the left-hand end of the row and shuffle and redeal them to the tableau again (with Aces again discarded to form 4 gaps).  Continue to move cards into the gaps as described above.  When stuck, redeal again (this is your last redeal) and try again.  If you can't complete the 4 sets of cards after the 2nd redeal, you have lost.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Three Shuffles
Game Name:	Three Shuffles

Alternate Names:	La Belle Lucie

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 8

Game Time:	Ave

This is a classic "fan" type game similar to La Belle Lucie except with the addition of a single Draw to help unblock stuck games.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of the entire deck being dealt face up to 17 fans.  There will be three cards to each fan except the last fan which contains only one card to start.  Above the Tableau is the Foundation row.  The cards are spread in piles of three to form fans.  The top cards of these fans are exposed and available for play.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau fans you build down in suit moving only one card at a time.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved.  A space cleared on the Tableau is never filled.  After play has come to a standstill, gather up all the Fan cards on the Tableau and shuffle and redeal them three to a fan as far as they will go (the last pile may be only 1 or 2 cards).  Play again.  You get 2 such redeals total.

When you decide, you can pull any single card out to the "Draw" pile and continue playing.  This drawn card can also be used immediately if so desired.  This helps unblock stuck games that can occur in normal La Belle Lucie.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Fan
Game Name:	The Fan

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Deck

Win Odds:	1 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

This is a classic "fan" type game where cards are spread in piles of three to form fans.  The top cards of these fans are exposed and available for play.

**Layout**

The Tableau consists of the entire deck being dealt face up to 17 fans.  There will be three cards to each fan except the last fan which contains only one card to start.  Above the Tableau is the Foundation row.

**Object**

Move each ace as it becomes available to the Foundation and build each in suit up to Kings.

**Play**

On the Tableau fans you build down in suit moving only one card at a time.  Only the topmost exposed card be moved.  A space cleared on the Tableau may be filled with a King only.  There is no redeal.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Scotch Patience
Game Name:	Scotch Patience

Alternate Titles:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 5

Game Time:	Ave

A classic open game similar to Baker's Dozen.

**Layout**

Eighteen piles of cards are dealt to the Tableau with three in all but the last 2 piles (which only contain 2).  Above the Tableau are the Foundation piles.

**Object**

To place the Aces on the Foundations and build them up in suit to Kings in suit.

**Play**

On the Tableau, build downward in suit.   Only a single card be moved to another pile.  A space cleared is not filled.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Amazons
Game Name:	Amazons

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	1 Short Deck (28 cards)

Win Odds:	1 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

Amazons is an interesting game using a short pack with only Aces, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q (Amazons!)

**Layout**

All cards start in the Stock.  The Tableau consists of 4 empty cells to start.

**Object**

To found the four aces (which happens in this game as they appear) and build them up in the following sequence:  A, 7, 8, 9, 10, J and finally Q (Amazon).  Cards are dealt from the stock to the Tableau in batches of four.

**Play**

A row of 4 cards are dealt from the Stock.  You can move any Ace up immediately and only to the first open foundation.  After that, a card can be moved from the table to the foundation in ascending suit and sequence (A, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q) but only if the card in question is in the table column directly below the foundation you wish to move it to!!  That is, if you have an Ace of Hearts founded, you can only move the 7 of hearts on top of it when it is in the same table column as the Ace of Hearts in the foundation row above.  The only exception to this rule is for Queens which can travel to the Foundation row from any table row (but still you must build the A-J first).  Once you exhaust the stock, click the stock pile to pick up the piles (from left to right) and deal again which will change the order of the cards.  You can redeal as often as you like but three redeals in a row without any cards moved to the foundation will show that you cannot win the game.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Mount Olympus
Game Name:	Mount Olympus

Alternate Names:	None.

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	2 in 3

Game Time:	Ave

Mount Olympus has a great feature of a double foundation row where you build Aces up to Kings by 2's and Deuces up to Queens by 2's.

**Layout**

Nine cards are dealt 1 to each of ten piles and all the cards are face up.  This forms the Tableau and a double set of Foundation rows are placed above those cards with Aces in the first row and Deuces in the second row.  The Aces and Deuces are founded immediately before the game begins.

**Object**

To build each Ace up to Kings in suit and by 2's (A, 3, 5, 7, 9, J, K) and also to build each Deuce up to Queens by 2's (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Q).

**Play**

Build down on the tableau in descending sequence (by twos) and in suit.  A correct sequence of cards can be moved as a unit providing they are in correct descending sequence and suit.  A space cleared may be filled only by the top of the waste pile - never from the tableau.   When you choose, you deal another row of 9 cards onto the Tableau from the Stock cards.  No redeals are allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Contradance
Game Name:	Contradance

Alternate Names:	Cotillion

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	1 in 20

Game Time:	Ave

Contradance has an interesting feature in that two sets of foundations are built at the same time - one up and one down starting near the middle.

**Layout**

A double set of Foundation rows are placed above those cards with fives in the bottom foundation row and sixes in the top founded immediately.

**Object**

To build each five down in suit to Kings (wrapping from Ace to King) and to build each six up in suit to Queens.

**Play**

Turn cards from the stock Stock one at a time and place them into a single Waste pile.  The top of the waste pile is available for building on the Foundations.  One redeal is allowed.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.


Indian
Game Name:	Indian

Alternate Titles:	None

Number Decks:	2 Decks

Win Odds:	Approx 1 in 2

Game Time:	Long

This is a variation of Napoleon at St. Helena.

**Layout**

The 2 decks are shuffled and dealt to the Tableau.  Ten piles of three cards each are formed with only the bottom row of cards face down - all others are face up.  The top of each pile is available for moving.   Above the Tableau is the Foundation, and the Aces, when available, are moved there and are to be built up to Kings in suit.   Near the bottom is a Stock pile, a Talon and a Waste pile.

**Object**

To found all 8 aces and build them up in suit to Kings.

**Play**

As you click on the stock pile it will turn over onto the talon card pile (which will only contain a single card) and any card on the talon pile will move to the waste pile.  Both the talon card and the top of the waste pile are available for play (Basically, the talon acts as a second mini-waste pile allowing two cards to be seen before any action is decided upon).

Available cards can be moved directly to the Foundations for building.  Cards can also be built on the Tableau in descending sequence and in any suit that but its own (that is - A Queen of Clubs can be built on any King except the King of Clubs).  Once a Tableau spot is cleared of cards, any available card may be moved there.  Remember, only the top card of each Tableau pile can be moved.

See the Main Solitude Help for additional help topics.