Above and Below Solitaire
Instructions:
Construct sequences of cards in ascending or descending order, ensuring each addition matches the suit of the previous one to form valid piles.Description
This solitaire variant uses two standard decks. Begin by turning over a single card to serve as the key indicator, which sets the foundation for building sequences. Create four ascending foundation stacks, each in a single suit matching their respective starting cards—one rank higher than the indicator. These sequences climb in rank, circling from ace back to king if needed. In parallel, form four descending foundation stacks in the same suits, beginning with cards one rank lower than the indicator and dropping down, looping from king to ace as required. Draw from the stock pile one card at a time, placing each on the waste pile. Should a card matching the indicator's rank appear on top of the waste, transfer it immediately to a central indicator stack. The exposed waste card can also go to any foundation or one of the four tableau columns. Tableau columns allow flexible building: extend them upward or downward, always staying within the same suit. However, transfers between tableau columns are limited to single cards only, adding a layer of strategic restraint. Once the stock runs dry, gather the waste pile to reuse as the new stock for a single redeal. For added flexibility, shift cards freely among the foundation stacks themselves, offering a modest edge in this challenging setup. Success hinges on relocating as many cards as possible to the foundations; the greater the number placed there, the superior your final score and ranking.
