Algiers

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Algiers Solitaire (also known as Algerian Patience) is to move all cards from the tableau, reserve, and stock onto the eight foundation piles, building each foundation completely according to its suit and sequence.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total).
• Foundations: Eight foundation piles at the top of the play area.
• Four leftmost foundations start with an Ace of each suit (built up in suit: Ace → King).
• Four rightmost foundations start with a King of each suit (built down in suit: King → Ace).
• Some versions deal the Aces and Kings to the foundations at setup; others require them to be played as they appear.
• Tableau: Eight tableau piles (also called depots or stacks) arranged in a row below the foundations.
• Each tableau pile starts with one face-up card.
• Reserve: Six reserve piles, each with four face-up cards dealt at the start.
• Stock: The remaining cards form the stock pile, used for future deals.
• Face Orientation: All cards in tableau and reserve are dealt face up; stock cards are face down until dealt.

Algiers Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:
• Aces Foundations: Build up in suit from Ace to King (A♠, 2♠, 3♠, …, K♠).
• Kings Foundations: Build down in suit from King to Ace (K♥, Q♥, J♥, …, A♥).
• When the up and down foundations of the same suit meet, cards may be transferred between them if needed.
• Tableau Building:
• Build up or down in suit (e.g., 5♦ on 4♦ or 6♦; 6♠ on 5♠ or 7♠).
• Building direction can change at any time.
• Wrapping: Kings can be placed on Aces and Aces on Kings (sequence wraps).
• Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for play.
• Reserve Rules:
• Only the top card of each reserve pile is available.
• Reserve cards can be moved to tableau or foundations, but not to other reserve piles.
• Movement:
• Only one card may be moved at a time (no sequences).
• Cards may be moved from reserve or tableau to foundations or tableau, but not from tableau/reserve to stock or reserve.
• Empty Spaces:
• Any exposed card may fill an empty tableau pile.
• Reserve piles may not be filled once emptied in most versions.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:
• Move exposed cards from tableau or reserve to foundations or tableau, following building rules.
• Continue making moves until no further moves are possible.
• Dealing from Stock:
• When stuck, deal two cards from the stock to each reserve pile (face up).
• On the final deal from the stock, deal one card to each tableau pile instead of the reserve.
• No More Moves:
• If no legal moves remain and the stock is exhausted, the game ends.
• If stock remains, deal as described above and continue play.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win: The game is won when all 104 cards are moved to the eight foundation piles, each completed in correct suit sequence (Ace to King or King to Ace).
• Lose: The game is lost (unwinnable) if no further legal moves can be made and the stock is depleted, with cards remaining in tableau or reserve.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau: Any exposed card (from tableau or reserve) may fill an empty tableau pile.
• Filling Empty Reserve: Most versions do not allow refilling reserve piles once emptied. Some variants allow a single card to be moved to an empty reserve pile, but this is rare.
• Foundation Transfer: If the up and down foundations of the same suit meet (e.g., the Ace-to-King and King-to-Ace piles converge), cards may be transferred between them as needed.
• Wrapping Sequences: Sequences in the tableau may wrap around (King follows Ace and vice versa).
• Single Card Moves: Only one card may be moved at a time; building or moving sequences is not permitted.
• Reserve Play: Reserve cards can only be played to tableau or foundations, never to other reserve piles or the stock.
• Stock Dealing: Each deal from the stock must be made to all reserve piles (two cards each), except for the final deal, which goes to the tableau (one card each).

This guide provides a precise, step-by-step framework for playing Algiers Solitaire, strictly adhering to the variant’s unique ruleset and terminology.