Double Trigon

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Double Trigon Solitaire is to move all cards from both players’ decks onto the shared foundation piles, building each foundation up by suit from Ace to King. The first player to achieve this wins the game.

Setup & Layout:

• Decks: Each player uses a separate standard 52-card deck, preferably with different backs for easy identification.
• Tableau: There are nine tableau piles per player, arranged below the foundations. Cards are dealt face-up into these piles.
• Foundations: Eight shared foundation piles are placed centrally. Each pile is built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: Each player has a personal stock pile (the remainder of their deck after dealing the tableau), placed face-down.
• Waste: Each player has a waste pile for cards drawn from their stock; the top card is always face-up and available for play.
• Initial Deal: All tableau cards are dealt face-up, with the remaining cards forming the stock pile face-down.

Key Play Areas Defined:

• Tableau: The main area where sequences are built down in suit.
• Foundations: Central piles built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: Face-down pile from which cards are drawn.
• Waste: Face-up pile for cards drawn from stock.

Double Trigon Solitaire Rules:

• Foundation Building: Foundations are built up by suit, starting with Ace and ending with King. Any Ace may start a foundation pile.
• Tableau Building: Tableaus are built down by suit. For example, the 7♠ may be placed on the 8♠. Only sequences built down in suit may be moved together as a group.
• Moving Cards:
  • Cards or sequences built down in suit can be moved between tableau piles.
  • Only Kings (or legal sequences starting with a King) may fill empty tableau spaces.
  • The top card of the waste pile may be played to the tableau or foundation.
  • Cards from the stock are drawn one at a time to the waste pile.
• Stock & Waste: Unlimited passes through the stock are permitted. When the stock is exhausted, the waste pile is turned over to become the new stock.

Gameplay:

• Players alternate turns, performing the following actions:
  • Move cards within their tableau according to building rules.
  • Move cards to the foundation piles when possible.
  • Draw one card from their stock pile to their waste pile if no other moves are available.
  • Play the top card of their waste pile to the tableau or foundation if legal.
• Sequences of cards built down in suit may be moved as a group between tableau piles.
• When an empty tableau pile is created, it may only be filled by a King or a legal sequence starting with a King.
• If no legal moves are available, the player draws from their stock pile.
• If both players are unable to make any moves, the game ends and the player with the most cards in the foundations is declared the winner.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: A player wins by moving all cards from their deck onto the foundation piles, building each foundation from Ace to King by suit.
• Losing/Unwinnable State: The game is lost or declared unwinnable if neither player can make any legal moves and cards remain in their tableau, stock, or waste piles. In such cases, the player with the most cards in the foundation piles is the winner.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableaus: Only Kings (or sequences starting with a King) may fill empty tableau spaces.
• Unlimited Stock Passes: Players may cycle through their stock and waste piles as many times as needed.
• Moving Groups: Only sequences built down in suit may be moved as a group; single cards may be moved individually.
• Shared Foundations: Both players may play to any of the eight shared foundation piles, regardless of which deck the card originated from.
• Deck Identification: Using decks with different backs is recommended to distinguish ownership of cards.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area where cards are arranged in piles and built down in suit.
• Foundation: Central piles where cards are built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The face-down pile from which cards are drawn.
• Waste: The face-up pile for cards drawn from the stock.

This guide provides the definitive ruleset and gameplay structure for Double Trigon Solitaire, ensuring clarity and precision for both new and experienced players.