Escalator

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Escalator Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau pyramid to the Waste pile by playing cards in sequence according to specific rank-based rules.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Uses a standard 52-card deck.
• Tableau: Deal seven overlapping rows, forming a pyramid:
  • First row: 1 card (top of the pyramid).
  • Second row: 2 cards, overlapping the first.
  • Continue, increasing by one card per row, until the seventh row has 7 cards.
  • All tableau cards are dealt face up.
• Stock: After dealing the tableau, place the remaining cards in a single face-down pile at the top left (the Stock).
• Waste: The Waste pile is initially empty and is used to collect cards played from the tableau and cards drawn from the Stock.
• Key Play Areas:
  • Tableau: The pyramid of overlapping face-up cards.
  • Stock: The draw pile for new cards.
  • Waste: The destination for playable cards.

Escalator Solitaire Rules:

• Available Cards: Only exposed (uncovered) cards in the tableau pyramid are available for play.
• Card Movement: Move available tableau cards to the Waste if their rank is immediately above or immediately below the top card of the Waste, regardless of suit.
  • Example: If the Waste shows a 7, you may play a 6 or an 8 from the tableau.
  • Ace is both above King and below 2 (wrapping is allowed).
  • King can be followed by Ace or Queen.
• Stock Draw: When no moves are possible, flip one card from the Stock to the Waste to continue play.
• No Redeals: Once the Stock is exhausted, no redeals are permitted.
• Sequence Building: Only single cards are moved; sequences cannot be moved together.
• Suit Irrelevant: Building is strictly by rank adjacency; suit does not matter.

Gameplay:

1. Start: After setup, play begins with the top card of the Stock turned face up to start the Waste pile.
2. Player Actions:
   • Examine the tableau for any uncovered card that is one rank higher or lower than the top card of the Waste.
   • Move such a card from the tableau to the Waste.
   • Continue moving cards as long as possible.
3. Stock Usage:
   • When no tableau moves are possible, flip the next card from the Stock onto the Waste and resume play.
4. Turn Sequence:
   • Repeat the process: move eligible tableau cards to the Waste, or draw from Stock when blocked.
5. End of Stock: When the Stock is depleted, play continues with only tableau moves until no further moves are possible.
6. Blocked State: If no legal moves remain and the Stock is exhausted, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition: Successfully move all 28 cards from the tableau to the Waste pile.
• Losing Condition: If cards remain in the tableau and no legal moves are possible after the Stock is exhausted, the game is lost.
• Scoring: One point for each card removed from the tableau; maximum score is 28 (if all cards are cleared).

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces: There are no rules for filling empty spaces; only exposed cards are playable, and spaces remain empty.
• Wrapping: Aces can be played after Kings and before 2s, enabling circular rank movement.
• No Suit Restrictions: Card movement is based solely on rank adjacency, not suit.
• No Redeals: Once the Stock is empty, there is no reshuffling or redealing.
• Strategy Tip: Plan moves ahead to avoid blocking yourself, as the chance of winning is low (estimated 1 in 40 games).

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area arranged as a pyramid of overlapping face-up cards.
• Stock: The pile of undealt cards, drawn one at a time to continue play.
• Waste: The pile where cards from the tableau and Stock are played, forming the sequence for rank-based movement.

This guide provides a precise, step-by-step framework for playing Escalator Solitaire according to the rules documented in official and reputable sources.