Rules for Windows Solitaire

Windows Solitaire Solitaire, also known as Patience or simply Solitaire, is the world's most popular solitaire card game. The name derives from the Windows Solitaire Gold Rush of the 1890s, where miners would play this game to pass time. Microsoft's inclusion of the game in Windows 3.0 in 1990 made it a global phenomenon. The objective is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King.

A standard 52-card deck is used (no jokers). The game requires patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. Not all deals are solvable - theoretically about 80% can be won, but most players win around 30% of their games.

Cards are dealt into seven columns on the table (called the tableau):

• Column 1: One card (face up)
• Column 2: Two cards (one down, one up)
• Column 3: Three cards (two down, one up)
• Column 4: Four cards (three down, one up)
• Column 5: Five cards (four down, one up)
• Column 6: Six cards (five down, one up)
• Column 7: Seven cards (six down, one up)

The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile (face down). Four empty spaces are reserved in the upper right for the foundation piles.

Main rules for moving cards:

• In the tableau: Build down by rank with alternating colors (red/black). For example, a red 6 can be placed on a black 7
• Moving sequences: Entire sequences can be moved together if they follow the alternating color rule
• Empty columns: Only Kings or sequences starting with a King can be placed in empty columns
• Turning cards: When the top card of a column is moved, the card beneath is automatically turned face up
• Foundations: Build up by suit from Ace to King (A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K)

There are two main variants for drawing from the stock pile:

• Turn One: Draw one card at a time from the stock. This is the easier variant with higher win rate (about 30-40%)
• Turn Three: Draw three cards at a time, but only the top card can be used. This is harder with lower win rate (about 10-15%)

Cards drawn but not used go to a waste pile. When the stock is empty, the waste pile can be turned over to form a new stock. In most variants, this can be done unlimited times.

To increase your chances of winning, follow these strategies:

• Turn the first card from the stock before making any other moves
• Always move Aces and Twos to the foundations immediately
• Prioritize exposing hidden cards, especially in columns with many cards
• Be cautious about moving higher cards (3 and up) to foundations too early
• Don't empty a column unless you have a King to place there
• When choosing between a red and black King, consider which cards are blocked
• Prefer moving cards within the tableau over using cards from the stock

Traditional scoring (used in Microsoft Solitaire):

• Waste to foundation: 10 points
• Tableau to foundation: 10 points
• Waste to tableau: 5 points
• Turning tableau card: 5 points
• Foundation back to tableau: -15 points
• Going through deck (after 3rd pass): -20 points per pass

Vegas scoring is an alternative where you "bet" $52 and win $5 per card placed in foundations.

Several popular variations of Windows Solitaire Solitaire:

• Vegas Solitaire: Only one pass through the deck allowed, stricter rules
• Thoughtful Windows Solitaire: All cards visible from start (used in studies)
• Double Windows Solitaire: Two decks and double-sized tableau
• Spider Solitaire: A related solitaire with different rules
• FreeCell: All cards visible, four free cells available

Digital versions often include features like undo, hints, and auto-complete.

The game is won when all 52 cards are placed in the four foundation piles in the correct order. The game is lost when no more legal moves exist and you've gone through the stock without finding usable cards.

Remember that not all deals are solvable - even with perfect play, some games will be impossible to win. This is part of the game's charm!