Double Russian

Game Objective:

The primary objective in Double Russian Solitaire is to move all 104 cards (from two standard 52-card decks) onto the eight foundation piles, building each pile up in ascending order from Ace to King by suit.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (total 104 cards).
• Tableau: There are 10 tableau columns. Cards are dealt as follows:
• Column 1: 1 card (face-up).
• Column 2: 2 cards (last card face-up).
• Column 3: 3 cards (last card face-up).
• Continue this pattern up to column 10, which receives 10 cards (last card face-up).
• After the initial deal, additional cards are placed:
  • Column 1: 4 extra face-up cards.
  • Columns 2–10: 5 extra face-up cards each.
• Foundations: Eight empty foundation piles (two per suit), to be filled during play.
• Stock/Reserve: There is no stock or reserve pile; all cards are dealt into the tableau at the start.
• Face-up/Face-down: Most cards are dealt face-up, especially after the additional cards are placed. Only the bottom cards in each column may be face-down initially, but these are quickly exposed as play progresses.

Key Play Areas:

• Tableau: The main area where cards are manipulated and sequences built.
• Foundations: Destination piles for completed suit sequences (Ace to King).

Double Russian Solitaire Rules:

• Foundation Building:
• Foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King (e.g., Ace♠, 2♠, 3♠, …, King♠).
• Only an Ace can start an empty foundation pile.
• Each foundation pile must be built with cards of the same suit in ascending order.
• Tableau Building:
• Tableau piles are built down by suit (e.g., 6♣, 5♣, 4♣, …).
• Only Kings (with any cards stacked on top) can be moved to empty tableau spaces.
• Groups of cards can be moved together, provided the sequence is built down by suit.
• Card Movement:
• Any face-up card, along with all cards stacked above it, may be moved as a unit to another tableau pile if the move creates a valid descending sequence by suit.
• Only the top card of a tableau pile is available for play to the foundation.
• Cards cannot be moved from the foundation back to the tableau in standard play.
• Sequence Rules:
• Sequences must be strictly descending by suit in the tableau (e.g., 8♥, 7♥, 6♥).
• No building by alternating color or mixed suits is allowed.

Gameplay:

• Typical Turn Sequence:
• Identify available moves by examining face-up cards in the tableau.
• Move any available Ace to an empty foundation pile to start a new foundation.
• Build foundation piles by placing the next higher card of the same suit onto the foundation.
• Rearrange tableau piles by moving sequences or single cards down by suit.
• When a tableau pile becomes empty, only a King (with any attached cards) may be placed in that space.
• After moving cards, if the top card of a tableau pile is face-down, flip it face-up.
• Introducing New Cards:
• All cards are available from the tableau at the start; there is no stock or draw pile.
• New cards are exposed by moving sequences and flipping face-down cards when they become the top card of a pile.
• When No Moves Are Possible:
• If no legal moves remain and not all cards are on the foundations, the game is lost or stuck; a new game must be started.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The game is won when all eight foundation piles are complete, each built from Ace to King in the same suit, using all 104 cards.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost or unwinnable if no further legal moves are possible and not all cards are on the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Spaces:
• Only a King (with any attached cards) may be moved to an empty tableau column.
• Moving Groups of Cards:
• Any group of cards, regardless of internal build, may be moved together as long as the bottom card of the group fits the descending-by-suit rule for the destination tableau pile.
• Exposing Face-down Cards:
• When the top card of a tableau pile is face-down, flip it face-up immediately after the card above it is moved.
• No Stock or Redeal:
• There is no stock, draw pile, or redeal; all cards are in play from the start.
• Foundation Restrictions:
• Only Aces may start empty foundation piles. Only the next higher card of the same suit may be placed on a foundation.
• Cards cannot be moved from foundations back to the tableau.
• Sequence Movement:
• You may move a sequence of cards as a unit, provided the sequence is built down by suit and the move is to a valid destination.
• Edge Case—Multiple Kings:
• If multiple tableau piles are empty, each may be filled only with a King (and its attached sequence).

Definitions:

• Foundation: A pile where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: The main play area where cards are arranged in columns and built down by suit.
• Sequence: A group of cards in descending order by suit.
• Face-up/Face-down: Indicates whether the card is visible and available for play.

This guide provides a definitive overview of the rules and mechanics for Double Russian Solitaire, optimized for clarity and precise gameplay reference.