Double FreeCell

Game Objective:

The primary objective in Double FreeCell Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau and free cells to the foundation piles, building up by suit from Ace to King, twice for each suit (using two decks).

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use two standard 52-card decks, totaling 104 cards.
• Tableau: Deal 104 cards into ten tableau columns:
  • The first four columns: 11 cards each.
  • The remaining six columns: 10 cards each.
  • All cards are dealt face-up in the tableau.
• Free Cells: Six free cells are available. Each free cell can hold one card temporarily.
• Foundations: Four foundation piles, one for each suit. Each pile must be built up twice from Ace to King, due to the double deck.
• Play Areas Defined:
  • Tableau: The main play area with ten columns of face-up cards.
  • Free Cells: Temporary holding spaces for single cards.
  • Foundations: Spaces where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King, twice per suit.

Double FreeCell Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement Principles:
  • Only the top card of each tableau column or any card in a free cell may be moved.
  • Cards can be moved between tableau columns in descending order and must alternate colors (e.g., a red 6 on a black 7).
  • Only single cards can be moved at a time unless enough free cells and/or empty tableau columns are available to move a sequence as a unit. The number of cards that can be moved together is determined by the number of empty free cells and empty tableau columns.
• Building Sequences:
  • Tableau: Build down by alternating colors.
  • Foundations: Build up by suit from Ace to King, then repeat for the second sequence per suit.
• Moving Cards:
  • Cards may be moved from the tableau to a free cell, from a free cell back to the tableau, or from either to the foundation.
  • Cards can only be moved to the foundation if they are the next in sequence for their suit (e.g., placing a 2 of hearts on an Ace of hearts).
  • Once a card is placed in a foundation, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or free cell.

Gameplay:

• Typical Sequence of Actions:
  • Move available cards between tableau columns to build descending, alternating-color sequences.
  • Use free cells to temporarily hold cards, enabling access to lower cards in tableau columns.
  • Move cards to the foundation piles whenever possible, starting with Aces.
  • Continue rearranging tableau columns and utilizing free cells to expose and move cards.
• Introducing New Cards:
  • No additional cards are introduced during play; all cards are dealt at the start.
• When No More Legal Moves Are Available:
  • If no legal moves remain (no cards can be moved to the foundation, tableau, or free cells), the game is lost or unwinnable.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: The game is won when all 104 cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles, with each suit built up from Ace to King twice.
• Losing/Unwinnable: The game is lost if no further legal moves can be made, leaving cards stranded in the tableau or free cells.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces:
  • Any empty tableau column can be filled with any single card or a valid descending, alternating-color sequence, provided the move complies with the sequence-move rule (number of free cells and empty columns).
  • Free cells can only hold one card at a time.
• Sequence Moves:
  • The maximum number of cards that can be moved as a sequence depends on the number of empty free cells and tableau columns. For example, one free cell allows moving two cards together, two free cells allow three, etc..
• Unique Restrictions:
  • Each foundation pile must be completed twice for each suit, reflecting the double deck.
  • No redeals are permitted; all cards are in play from the start.
  • Once placed in a foundation, cards cannot be moved elsewhere.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main area where cards are arranged in columns and manipulated during play.
• Free Cell: A temporary storage space for a single card, used to facilitate movement and access to other cards.
• Foundation: The area where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King, twice per suit in Double FreeCell.

This guide provides a precise, step-by-step framework for playing Double FreeCell Solitaire, focusing exclusively on its rules and gameplay mechanics.