Cast Out Nines

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Cast Out Nines Solitaire is to move all 104 cards (from two standard decks) onto eight foundation piles, building each foundation in ascending order by suit from Ace to King, wrapping around to Ace after King if necessary. The game is won when all foundations contain a complete sequence of thirteen cards in their respective suits.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (total 104 cards).
• Tableau: Seven tableau piles, each starting with one card dealt face-up.
• Foundations: Eight empty foundation piles at the start of the game.
• Stock: The remaining cards form the stock pile, face-down.
• Waste: One waste pile, initially empty.

Key Play Areas:

• Tableau: The primary area for maneuvering cards. Cards here are built down by suit.
• Foundations: The destination for sequences built up by suit.
• Stock: Supplies new cards to the waste pile.
• Waste: Holds cards dealt from the stock; only the top card is accessible for play.

Cast Out Nines Solitaire Rules:

Fundamental Principles:

• Foundations build up by suit, starting with Ace and continuing to King; building wraps around, so Ace can be placed on King.
• A Nine may be played to any empty foundation pile to start a new sequence.
• Tableau piles build down by suit (e.g., 8♠ on 9♠).
• Groups of cards in descending suit sequence may be moved together within the tableau.
• Any single card may be moved to an empty tableau pile.
• Stock deals one card at a time to the waste pile, face-up; no redeals are allowed.
• Waste pile: Only the top card is available for play.

Building Sequences:

• Foundations: Build up by suit, wrapping from King to Ace.
• Tableau: Build down by suit. Only cards in strict descending order and matching suit can be stacked.
• Moving Cards: Only the top card or a properly sequenced group (descending by suit) can be moved within the tableau.

Movement Conditions:

• Cards may move from tableau or waste to foundations if they follow the suit and sequence rule.
• Cards may move between tableau piles if they continue a descending sequence by suit.
• Any card may fill an empty tableau space.
• Only Nines may fill an empty foundation.

Gameplay:

Sequence of Actions:

• Examine tableau and waste for possible moves to foundations or between tableau piles.
• Move cards to foundations if possible, following suit and ascending sequence.
• Move cards within tableau piles, stacking in descending order by suit.
• Fill empty tableau piles with any single card.
• When no moves are possible, deal one card from stock to the waste pile.
• Use the top card of the waste for any valid move.
• Continue until all cards are moved to foundations or no further moves are possible.

Introducing New Cards:

• When required, deal one card from the stock to the waste pile, face-up.
• No redeals: Once the stock is exhausted, no further cards can be introduced.

No More Legal Moves:

• If no valid moves remain and the stock is depleted, gameplay ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

Winning:

• The game is won when all eight foundation piles contain a complete suit sequence from Ace to King (thirteen cards each).

Losing/Unwinnable State:

• The game is lost if no further legal moves are possible and not all cards have been moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Foundations: Only a Nine can be played to an empty foundation pile to start a new sequence.
• Filling Empty Tableau: Any single card can be moved to an empty tableau pile.
• Group Moves: Groups of cards in a descending sequence by suit may be moved together within the tableau.
• No Redeals: Once the stock is exhausted, no redeals are permitted; the waste pile remains empty until a new card is dealt from the stock.
• Wrap-Around Building: Foundations allow "around-the-corner" building, meaning an Ace can be placed on a King for continuous sequence.

Definitions:

• Foundation: Pile where cards are built up by suit.
• Tableau: Piles where cards are built down by suit.
• Stock: Face-down pile from which cards are drawn to the waste.
• Waste: Discard pile; only the top card is playable.