Applegate

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Applegate Solitaire is to discard all cards by creating complete runs of the same suit from King down to Ace within the tableau. When a full sequence (King through Ace, same suit) is completed, it is automatically removed. The game is won when no cards remain in play.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
• Tableau: Seven tableau piles. Each pile is dealt seven cards.
  • In the first four tableau piles, the bottom three cards are dealt face down; the remaining cards in each pile are dealt face up.
  • The last three tableau piles (piles 5-7) are dealt all cards face up.
• Reserve: One reserve pile. The top card is always face up and available for play.
• Foundations: There are no traditional foundation piles; completed suit sequences are discarded directly from the tableau.
• Face-Up/Face-Down: Only the bottom three cards of the first four tableau piles are face down; all other cards are face up.

Applegate Solitaire Rules:

• Tableau Building: Cards in the tableau build down by the same suit. For example, the 9♠ can be placed on the 10♠.
• Around-the-Corner Building: Sequences may build "around the corner," allowing a King to be placed on an Ace of the same suit and vice versa.
• Stack Movement: Any group of cards (regardless of suit or sequence) may be moved together as a unit from one tableau pile to another, similar to Yukon Solitaire.
• Empty Tableau Spaces: Only a King or a group of cards headed by a King can be moved into an empty tableau space.
• Reserve Usage: The top card of the reserve pile is always available to be played onto the tableau.
• Sequence Removal: When a complete sequence from King to Ace of the same suit is formed in a tableau pile, it is automatically discarded from play.

Gameplay:

• On each turn, the player may:
  • Move the top card or a valid stack from one tableau pile to another, following the building rules.
  • Move the top card of the reserve pile onto a tableau pile if it fits the building requirement.
• When a card is moved from a tableau pile, any face-down card that becomes exposed is turned face up immediately.
• Only Kings or stacks headed by a King may fill empty tableau spaces.
• The player continues making moves, building sequences, and discarding complete runs.
• If no legal moves remain, the game is lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win Condition: The player wins when all cards have been discarded by forming and removing complete King-to-Ace sequences of the same suit in the tableau.
• Loss Condition: The game is lost if no more legal moves are possible and cards remain in play.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces: Only Kings or stacks headed by a King can fill empty tableau spaces.
• Stack Movement Exception: Unlike many solitaire variants, stacks can be moved regardless of their internal order or suit, as long as the move follows the building rule for the destination pile.
• Face-Down Cards: When a face-down card is exposed in the tableau, it is immediately turned face up and becomes available for play.
• Sequence Removal: Complete King-to-Ace sequences (same suit) are automatically removed from the tableau; there is no manual discard action required.
• Reserve Pile: Only the top card of the reserve is available for play at any time.

Key Terms Defined:

• Tableau: The primary play area consisting of seven piles where cards are built down by suit.
• Reserve: A single pile with one face-up card available for play.
• Sequence: A run of cards in descending order by suit (e.g., K♠, Q♠, J♠, …, A♠).
• Around-the-Corner: Building that allows a King to follow an Ace, or vice versa, in a sequence.

This guide covers all unique rules and mechanics specific to Applegate Solitaire, ensuring precise understanding for optimal play.