Farmer's Wife

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Farmer's Wife Solitaire is to discard all cards by constructing complete sequences that run from King down to Ace in any suit within the tableau. Once a full sequence (King through Ace) is built, it is removed from play. The game is won when no cards remain on the tableau or reserve.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck. No jokers are required.
• Tableau: Deal ten tableau piles, each containing five cards. All cards in the tableau are dealt face-up.
• Reserve: There is one reserve pile, with only its top card accessible for play.
• Foundations: No traditional foundation piles are used. Complete King-to-Ace sequences are removed directly from the tableau.
• Stock: There is no stock or draw pile in this variant.

Play Areas Defined:

• Tableau: Ten piles where cards are built down and sequences are formed.
• Reserve: A single pile holding extra cards; only the top card is playable.
• Foundation: Not present; sequences are removed from the tableau once completed.

Farmer's Wife Solitaire Rules:

• Building Sequences: Cards in the tableau are built down by any suit except the same suit—for example, a 9♠ may be placed on a 10♥, 10♣, or 10♦, but not on a 10♠.
• Moving Cards:
  • Any single card or group of cards (regardless of suit or sequence) may be moved together as a unit between tableau piles.
  • Only a King (or a group of cards led by a King) can be moved into an empty tableau pile.
• Sequence Removal: When a complete sequence from King through Ace is formed in any tableau pile, the entire sequence is automatically discarded.
• Reserve Usage: Only the top card of the reserve pile may be played to the tableau.

Gameplay:

• Player Actions:
  • Move single cards or valid groups between tableau piles, following the building rules.
  • Move the top card from the reserve to any valid position in the tableau.
  • Fill empty tableau piles only with a King or a group of cards headed by a King.
  • Remove complete King-to-Ace sequences from the tableau immediately when formed.
• Introducing New Cards:
  • No new cards are introduced after the initial deal, except for the reserve pile’s top card becoming available as cards are played.
• No Legal Moves:
  • If no moves are possible, the game ends in a loss. There is no redeal or stock to draw from.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition: The player wins by successfully removing all cards from the tableau and reserve, forming and discarding complete King-to-Ace sequences.
• Losing Condition: The game is lost if no further legal moves are available and cards remain in the tableau or reserve.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles: Only Kings (single or groups led by a King) may fill empty tableau spaces. No other cards or groups are permitted to occupy these spaces.
• Moving Groups: Groups of cards may be moved together regardless of their internal sequence or suit, as long as the move follows the building rules for the destination pile.
• Reserve Restriction: Only the top card of the reserve is accessible; buried cards cannot be played until uncovered.
• Sequence Removal: Sequences must run uninterrupted from King down to Ace to be removed. Partial sequences or sequences missing ranks cannot be discarded.
• No Foundations: Unlike many solitaire games, Farmer's Wife does not use foundation piles. Completed sequences are removed directly from the tableau.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The primary play area where cards are built and sequences are formed.
• Reserve: A holding area for extra cards, with only the top card accessible.
• Sequence: A run of cards in descending order from King to Ace, regardless of suit.

This guide provides a precise summary of the unique rules and gameplay mechanics for Farmer's Wife Solitaire, strictly based on authoritative sources and official rulebooks.