Dover

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Dover Solitaire is to build up all cards into ordered sequences within the tableau piles according to strict descending rank, with each pile containing a continuous sequence from King down to Ace. There are no separate foundation piles; all play occurs within the tableau.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck.
• Tableau: Deal eight tableau piles, each with three cards, for a total of 24 cards. All cards are dealt face-up and splayed downward so each is visible.
• Play Areas:
• Tableau: The only play area in Dover Solitaire. There are no foundations, stock, reserve, or waste piles in this variant.
• No cards are dealt face-down; all are visible at the start.

Dover Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement:
• You may add a card onto a tableau pile if it is exactly one rank lower than the top card of that pile (e.g., place a 6 on a 7).
• Only single cards may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved as a unit.
• Building Sequences:
• Building is strictly downward by rank (King to Ace).
• There are no suit or color restrictions; any card of the correct rank may be placed regardless of suit.
• Empty Spaces:
• If a tableau pile becomes empty, it cannot be refilled; empty spaces remain empty for the rest of the game.
• No Stock or Reserve:
• No additional cards are introduced during play; all cards are in play from the start.

Gameplay:

• On each turn, examine the tableau for legal moves:
• Move any card onto another tableau pile if it is one rank lower than the top card of the destination pile.
• Continue making moves as long as possible.
• Since all cards are visible and accessible, gameplay focuses on careful sequencing to maximize available moves.
• When no further legal moves can be made, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: The game is won when all cards are arranged into eight descending sequences (King to Ace) in the tableau piles.
• Losing: The game is lost (or becomes unwinnable) if no more legal moves are possible and the tableau piles do not all contain complete descending sequences from King to Ace.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Empty Tableau Piles: Once a tableau pile is emptied, it remains empty and cannot be refilled for the rest of the game.
• No Foundations: Unlike other solitaire variants, there are no foundation piles; all building occurs within the tableau.
• No Suit or Color Restriction: Cards are built purely by rank, ignoring suit and color.
• No Redeal or Stock: All cards are dealt at the start, and there is no mechanism to introduce new cards or redeal.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area where cards are arranged and manipulated according to the game’s rules.
• Sequence: An ordered group of cards arranged by rank.

This guide provides all necessary rules and procedures for playing Dover Solitaire according to its unique variant structure.