Double Pyramid

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Double Pyramid Solitaire is to remove all cards from the tableau (the double pyramid layout) and the stock/waste pile by pairing exposed cards whose combined values total exactly 13.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks are used (104 cards total).
• Pyramid/Tableau: Deal 50 cards face-up to form a tableau of two overlapping pyramids. The layout consists of 9 cards in the bottom row, with each successive row above having one fewer card, forming two adjacent pyramids that overlap at the base.
• Stock: The remaining 54 cards (104 minus 50) are placed face-down as the stock pile.
• Waste Pile: Cards drawn from the stock are placed face-up in a separate waste pile.
• Exposed Cards: Only cards that are not overlapped by any other card (i.e., not covered by cards above) are considered "exposed" and available for play.

Double Pyramid Solitaire Rules:

• Card Values: Ace = 1, 2–10 = face value, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13.
• Pairing: Remove cards in pairs that sum to 13. For example, 8 + 5, 10 + 3, Jack + 2, Queen + Ace.
• Kings: Kings are unique; since they are worth 13, an exposed King may be removed from play immediately without pairing.
• Exposed Cards: Only exposed cards in the tableau or the top card of the waste pile may be paired and removed.
• Stock and Waste: When no more pairs are available among exposed cards, draw one card at a time from the stock to the waste pile. The top card of the waste pile may be paired with any exposed card in the tableau.
• Redeals: You may go through the stock pile up to two times (two passes through the stock are allowed).
• No Building: There is no building of sequences by suit or color; only pairing for removal is permitted.

Gameplay:

• Examine exposed cards in the tableau for pairs totaling 13 and remove them from play.
• Remove any exposed King immediately, as it does not require a pair.
• If no pairs are available among exposed cards, draw the top card from the stock pile and place it face-up on the waste pile.
• Attempt to pair the waste pile's top card with any exposed tableau card. If pairing is possible, remove both cards; otherwise, the waste card remains until it can be paired or is buried by a subsequent stock draw.
• Continue drawing from the stock pile one card at a time, pairing with exposed tableau cards as possible.
• Once the stock is exhausted, you may reshuffle and redeal the stock pile one additional time (for a total of two passes through the stock).
• Play continues until all cards are removed or no further moves are possible.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: You win by removing all cards from the tableau and the stock/waste pile through valid pairs totaling 13.
• Losing: The game is lost if, after using both passes through the stock, cards remain on the tableau or waste pile and no further legal moves are possible.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Spaces: There are no spaces to fill; once a card is removed from the tableau, the cards it covered may become exposed and available for play.
• Exposed Card Definition: A card is exposed if no other card overlaps it. Cards partially covered by others are not considered exposed and cannot be played until uncovered.
• Waste Pile Use: Only the top card of the waste pile is available for pairing. If it cannot be paired immediately, it remains until it can be paired or is buried by subsequent waste cards.
• Redeals: Only two passes through the stock are allowed. After the second pass, no further redeals are permitted.
• No Reserve or Foundation: There are no reserve cells or foundation piles in this variant; all removals are directly to the discard.
• Unwinnable States: If all possible pairs are exhausted and cards remain on the tableau or waste pile, the game is unwinnable and ends in a loss.

Note: Double Pyramid Solitaire is a challenging patience game that requires careful planning to maximize the chances of clearing both pyramids within the allowed stock passes.