Black Widow

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Black Widow Solitaire is to build eight complete sequences of cards in descending order by suit (from King down to Ace) within the tableau, and then remove each completed sequence from play.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: The game uses two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total).
• Tableau: There are 10 tableau columns.
  • Dealing:
    • The first 4 columns each receive 6 cards.
    • The remaining 6 columns each receive 5 cards.
  • Face-up/Face-down: Only the top card of each tableau column is face-up; all other cards in the columns are face-down.
• Stock Pile: The remaining 50 cards form the stock pile.
• Foundations: There are 8 foundation piles (one for each complete King-to-Ace sequence by suit).
• Waste Pile: Completed sequences are moved to the waste or foundation piles.

Black Widow Solitaire Rules:

• Building on Tableau:
  • Cards are built downward in rank (e.g., 9 on 10), regardless of suit.
  • Groups of cards in descending sequence (regardless of suit) may be moved together as a unit within the tableau.
  • Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for play or movement.
  • You cannot build a King on an Ace.
• Moving Cards:
  • Any card or valid sequence can be moved to an empty tableau column.
  • Only in-suit, complete King-to-Ace sequences can be moved to the foundation/waste pile.
• Dealing from Stock:
  • When no further moves are possible or desired, deal one card from the stock to the bottom of each tableau column.
  • All tableau columns must be filled (no empty spaces) before dealing from the stock.
• Foundations/Waste:
  • Only complete, in-suit sequences from King down to Ace may be moved to the foundation/waste pile.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:
  • Move cards or sequences within the tableau, building down regardless of suit.
  • Move any complete, in-suit King-to-Ace sequence to the foundation/waste.
  • If no moves are possible or desired, and all tableau columns are filled, click the stock to deal one card to each tableau column.
• Introducing New Cards:
  • Dealing from the stock introduces new cards to the game, one per tableau column per deal.
• No More Moves:
  • If you cannot make any more legal moves and the stock is empty, the game ends in a loss.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: The game is won when all eight in-suit King-to-Ace sequences have been completed and moved to the foundation/waste pile.
• Losing/Unwinnable: The game is lost if no more legal moves can be made (no cards can be moved within the tableau, and the stock is empty before all eight sequences are completed).

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Columns:
  • Any card or sequence may be moved into an empty tableau column.
  • All tableau columns must be filled before dealing from the stock; if there are empty columns, you must fill them before dealing.
• Sequence Movement:
  • You may move any downward sequence, regardless of suit, within the tableau.
  • Only in-suit, complete King-to-Ace sequences may be transferred to the foundation/waste.
• No Redeal: There is no redeal; once the stock is exhausted, no more cards can be introduced.
• Multiple Moves: Moving groups of cards is permitted even if the sequence is not of the same suit, but only in-suit sequences can be cleared from the tableau.
• Stock Restrictions: You cannot deal from the stock if there are empty tableau columns.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area with 10 columns where cards are arranged and manipulated.
• Foundation/Waste: Area where completed, in-suit King-to-Ace sequences are moved.
• Stock: The pile of undealt cards used to introduce new cards to the tableau.

This ruleset reflects the unique mechanics of Black Widow Solitaire, distinguishing it from classic Spider Solitaire by allowing more flexible sequence movement, while still requiring in-suit sequences for victory.