Kingsdown Eights

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Kingsdown Eights Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau and reserve piles onto the eight foundation piles, building each foundation in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck Used: Two standard 52-card decks (total 104 cards).
• Play Areas:
• Tableau: 8 piles, each starting with 1 card dealt face up.
• Reserve: 8 piles, each starting with 4 cards dealt face up.
• Foundations: 8 empty piles, one for each suit, to be built from Ace to King.
• Card Orientation: All cards are dealt face up in both the tableau and reserve piles.
• Stock/Waste: There is no stock or waste pile in this variant.

Kingsdown Eights Solitaire Rules:

• Building on Tableau: Cards are built down in the tableau piles by alternating suit colors (e.g., red on black, black on red).
• Movement Restrictions:
• Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved together.
• Cards cannot be moved into the reserve piles; reserve piles are only sources for play.
• Foundations: Cards are built up by suit from Ace to King in each foundation pile.
• Empty Tableau Piles: Any card may be placed into an empty tableau pile.
• Reserve Access: Any face-up card in a reserve pile is available for play but cannot be replaced once moved.

Gameplay:

• On each turn, the player may:
• Move a single face-up card from the tableau or reserve to another tableau pile, following the alternating color and descending rank rule.
• Move a single face-up card from the tableau or reserve to a foundation pile, following the ascending sequence by suit.
• No Stock/Waste: All cards are available from the initial deal; there is no drawing of new cards.
• Empty Spaces: When a tableau pile becomes empty, any card may be moved into that space.
• Sequence of Play: The player continues moving cards according to the rules until no further legal moves are possible or all cards are moved to the foundations.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: The game is won when all cards are successfully built onto the eight foundation piles in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.
• Losing/Unwinnable State: The game is lost or becomes unwinnable if no legal moves remain and not all cards have been moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles: Any card may be moved into an empty tableau pile, not restricted to Kings or any specific rank.
• Reserve Pile Restrictions: Cards cannot be moved into reserve piles; only cards already in reserve may be played.
• Movement Limitation: Only single cards can be moved at a time, not sequences.
• All Cards Face Up: Every card in the tableau and reserve is always face up and accessible for play.
• No Redeal: There is no redeal or recycling of cards; once a card is moved from reserve or tableau, it cannot be returned.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The primary play area where cards are built down in alternating colors.
• Reserve: Auxiliary piles containing extra cards, all face up, accessible for play but not refillable.
• Foundations: The target piles for winning, built up by suit from Ace to King.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the unique rules and mechanics of Kingsdown Eights Solitaire, ensuring precise understanding for both new and experienced players.