Giant

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Giant Solitaire is to move all 104 cards (using two standard 52-card decks) to the eight foundation piles, building each foundation up in suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (total 104 cards) are used.
• Tableau: Deal eight columns, each with one card, forming the tableau. All cards in the tableau are dealt face up.
• Foundations: There are eight foundation piles, one for each suit from both decks. Foundations start empty but any Ace dealt is immediately played to its corresponding foundation.
• Stock: The remaining cards after the initial tableau are placed in a stock pile. The stock is used to deal new cards to the tableau when needed.
• Play Areas Defined:
  • Tableau: Eight columns where cards are built down in alternating colors.
  • Foundations: Eight piles where cards are built up in suit from Ace to King.
  • Stock: The pile from which new cards are dealt to the tableau.
• Card Orientation: All cards in the tableau and those dealt from the stock are face up.

Giant Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement:
  • Cards in the tableau are built down in alternating colors (e.g., a red 10 can be placed on a black Jack).
  • The top card of each tableau column, or a packed sequence (a group of cards in proper descending order and alternating colors), can be moved to another tableau column or to the foundations.
  • Sequences may be moved as a unit between tableau columns.
• Building Foundations:
  • Foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King (e.g., 2♠ on Ace♠, 3♠ on 2♠, etc.).
• Moving Cards:
  • Any available card or packed sequence can fill a space in the tableau.
  • The top card of a foundation pile may be moved back to the tableau if it fits the tableau’s descending, alternating color rule.
• Stock Usage:
  • When no moves are possible, deal a new row of eight cards from the stock, one to each tableau column.
  • There is no redeal; the stock is used only once.

Gameplay:

• Players examine the tableau and move cards or sequences down in alternating colors, aiming to uncover and play Aces to the foundations.
• When a move is not possible, the player deals eight new cards from the stock, adding one card face up to each tableau column.
• Cards and sequences are moved between tableau columns or to the foundations as permitted.
• Play continues until either all cards are moved to the foundations or no further moves are possible and the stock is exhausted.
• If a tableau column becomes empty, it can be filled with any available card or sequence.
• The top card of each foundation may be moved back to the tableau if it helps continue play.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win: The game is won when all 104 cards are successfully moved to the eight foundation piles, built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Loss/Unwinnable State: The game is lost or becomes unwinnable if no legal moves remain and the stock is exhausted, leaving cards in the tableau that cannot be moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Columns: Any single card or packed sequence may fill an empty tableau column.
• No Redeals: Once the stock is depleted, no further cards can be dealt; play continues only with the cards in the tableau and foundations.
• Foundation-to-Tableau Moves: The top card of a foundation pile may be moved back to the tableau if it fits the descending, alternating color rule, providing additional flexibility for strategic play.
• Multiple Decks: All rules are adapted for two decks, resulting in eight foundations and a larger tableau.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area where cards are arranged in columns and built down in alternating colors.
• Foundations: The target piles for each suit, built up from Ace to King.
• Stock: The pile of undealt cards used to introduce new cards to the tableau.
• Packed Sequence: A group of cards in descending order and alternating colors that can be moved as a unit.

This guide covers all essential mechanics for playing Giant Solitaire as documented in official and reputable sources.