Hypotenuse

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Hypotenuse Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau and stock to the eight foundation piles, building each foundation up by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks are used, totaling 104 cards.
• Foundations: Eight foundation piles, each to be built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: Ten tableau piles are created. The first tableau pile receives 10 cards, the second 9 cards, continuing down to the tenth pile, which receives 1 card. Only the top card of each tableau pile is dealt face-up; the rest are face-down.
• Stock: The remaining cards after tableau setup form the stock pile, which is used to introduce new cards into play.
• Play Areas Defined:
  • Tableau: The main area where cards are arranged in descending sequences by alternating colors.
  • Foundations: Destination piles for building up each suit.
  • Stock: The pile from which new cards are dealt face-up to the tableau.

Hypotenuse Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:
  • Only an Ace can be moved to an empty foundation pile.
  • Foundations are built up by suit (e.g., 2♠ on Ace♠, 3♠ on 2♠, etc.).
• Tableau:
  • Only a King (or a sequence starting with a King) can be moved to an empty tableau pile.
  • Tableau piles build down in rank by alternating color (e.g., 10♠ on J♦, 9♥ on 10♣).
  • Sequences of cards built in descending order by alternating color can be moved together as a group.
• Stock:
  • When activated, the stock deals one card face-up to each tableau pile.
• Movement:
  • Cards or valid sequences may be moved between tableau piles if they follow the descending, alternating color rule.
  • Only the top card of each tableau pile or the top card of a sequence may be moved unless moving a valid sequence.

Gameplay:

• On each turn, the player may:
  • Move cards or sequences between tableau piles following the descending, alternating color rule.
  • Move Aces to empty foundation piles and build up by suit.
  • Move Kings (or valid King-starting sequences) to empty tableau piles.
• When no further moves are available on the tableau, the player may activate the stock to deal one card face-up to each tableau pile.
• Play continues by moving cards and sequences, building up foundations, and using the stock until no more legal moves are possible.
• If a tableau pile becomes empty, only a King or a sequence starting with a King may be placed in that space.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win: The game is won when all 104 cards have been moved to the eight foundation piles, each built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Loss: The game is lost or becomes unwinnable if no more legal moves are possible and the stock cannot introduce new cards to enable further progress.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Empty Tableau Spaces: Only Kings or sequences starting with a King may fill empty tableau spaces.
• Moving Sequences: Entire sequences built down by alternating colors may be moved together within the tableau.
• Stock Activation: Each activation of the stock deals one card face-up to each tableau pile, potentially enabling new moves.
• Odds of Winning: The odds of winning are low, with skill being the primary determinant; approximately 1 in 10 games are won.
• Restrictions: No other cards except Kings may be moved to empty tableau piles. Only Aces may start foundation piles.

Definitions of Key Terms:

• Foundation: Pile where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: Main area where cards are arranged in descending order by alternating color.
• Stock: Pile from which new cards are dealt to the tableau.

This guide provides a precise, step-by-step framework for playing Hypotenuse Solitaire according to established rules and official sources.