Backbone

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Backbone Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau, backbone, and stock to the eight foundation piles, building each foundation in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Backbone Solitaire uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards in total).
• Backbone (Reserve):
• Deal two columns of 11 cards each face-up to form the "Backbone" or reserve piles.
• Place one additional card overlapping the bottom of both columns; this is called the "Coccyx" or "tailbone" card.
• Only the exposed cards (the coccyx and the bottom cards of each backbone column) are available for play.
• Tableau ("Ribs"):
• Deal four cards face-up on each side of the backbone to create eight tableau piles ("ribs").
• Foundations:
• Leave space for eight foundation piles above or beside the main layout.
• Stock and Waste:
• Place the remaining cards face-down as the stock.
• The waste pile is created by turning over cards from the stock one at a time.
• Face-up/Face-down: All cards in the backbone, coccyx, and tableau are dealt face-up; only the stock is face-down.

Backbone Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:
• Build up in suit from Ace to King on each foundation pile (e.g., A♣, 2♣, 3♣, …, K♣).
• There are two foundation piles per suit.
• Tableau ("Ribs"):
• Build down in suit (e.g., 7♥, 6♥, 5♥, …).
• Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for play.
• Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved.
• Backbone (Reserve):
• Only the coccyx card is available at first.
• Once the coccyx is played, the bottom card of each backbone column becomes available.
• Cards from the backbone can be played to the tableau or directly to the foundations.
• Stock and Waste:
• Turn over one card at a time from the stock to the waste pile.
• The top card of the waste pile is available for play to the tableau or foundations.
• Only two passes through the stock are allowed (one redeal).
• Empty Spaces:
• Any empty tableau pile may be filled with any available card from the backbone, waste pile, or stock.

Gameplay:

• Typical Turn Sequence:
• Move available cards (from the coccyx, backbone ends, tableau tops, or waste) to foundations or tableau as permitted.
• Build tableau piles down in suit, one card at a time.
• When no moves are available, turn over a card from the stock to the waste pile.
• If a tableau pile is emptied, fill it with any available card.
• Continue play, making legal moves and drawing from the stock until no further moves are possible or the game is won.
• Introducing New Cards:
• Cards are introduced to play by exposing the coccyx, backbone ends, tableau tops, or by drawing from the stock.
• No More Legal Moves:
• If no moves are possible and the stock is exhausted after the allowed redeals, the game ends in a loss.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The game is won when all 104 cards are moved to the eight foundations, each built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost if, after two passes through the stock, no further legal moves are possible and not all cards are in the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles:
• Any empty tableau pile may be filled with any available card from the backbone, waste, or stock.
• In some variations, only cards from the waste or stock may fill empty tableau spaces, not directly from the backbone (check specific variant rules).
• Moving Cards:
• Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved together.
• Coccyx Rule:
• The coccyx card must be played before any other backbone cards can be accessed.
• If the coccyx is a King at the start, it is replaced by another card.
• Aces During Setup:
• If an Ace appears during the initial deal to the backbone or tableau, it is immediately moved to the foundations and replaced with the next card from the stock.
• Redeals:
• Only one redeal of the stock is permitted (two passes in total).
• Unplayable Cards:
• Cards cannot be moved from the foundations back into play areas.
• Variants:
• Some digital versions (e.g., Aisleriot) restrict filling empty tableau spaces with backbone cards.
• Rules may vary slightly in different published or digital versions; always check the specific implementation if playing electronically.

Key Terms Defined:

• Backbone (Reserve): Two columns of face-up cards with an overlapping coccyx card at the base.
• Coccyx (Tailbone): The single card overlapping both backbone columns; must be played before accessing other backbone cards.
• Tableau (Ribs): Eight piles (four on each side of the backbone) where cards are built down in suit.
• Foundations: Eight piles (two per suit) built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The face-down pile from which cards are drawn one at a time.
• Waste: The pile where drawn stock cards are placed, with only the top card available for play.

This guide provides a comprehensive, rule-accurate overview for playing Backbone Solitaire as documented in official and authoritative sources.