Little Milligan

Game Objective:

The primary objective in Little Milligan Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau and stock onto the foundation piles, building each foundation in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck for Little Milligan Solitaire (unlike Miss Milligan, which uses two decks).
• Tableau: Deal one card face-up to each tableau column. The number of tableau piles is typically eight, but confirm with the specific implementation if different.
• Foundations: There are four foundation piles, each starting empty. Foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The remaining cards after the initial deal form the stock pile, placed face-down.
• Reserve/Cells: Little Milligan does not use a reserve or cell (unlike Miss Milligan).
• Face-Up/Face-Down: All tableau cards are dealt face-up; stock cards are face-down until dealt.

Little Milligan Solitaire Rules:

• Tableau Building: Build sequences down in descending order by alternating color (red on black, black on red).
• Moving Cards: You may move a single card or a correctly sequenced group of cards (built down in alternating colors) from one tableau pile to another.
• Empty Tableau Piles: Only a King or a legal sequence headed by a King may be placed in an empty tableau pile.
• Foundations: Cards are moved to the foundations in ascending order by suit, starting with the Ace.
• Stock Dealing: When no moves are available, deal one card face-up from the stock onto each tableau pile, regardless of whether the pile is empty or not.
• Card Movement Restrictions: Only exposed (face-up) cards or legal sequences can be moved. Cards cannot be moved from the foundations back to the tableau.

Gameplay:

• Typical Turn Sequence:
• Move cards or sequences within the tableau, following the building rules.
• Move eligible cards to the foundations.
• If no moves are possible, deal a new row of cards from the stock, one to each tableau pile.
• Introducing New Cards:
• Tap or draw from the stock pile to deal one face-up card to each tableau pile.
• No More Legal Moves:
• If no moves are possible and the stock is exhausted, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win Condition: The game is won when all cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles, built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Lose/Unwinnable Condition: The game is lost if no more legal moves are possible and cards remain in the tableau or stock that cannot be moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles: Only a King or a legal descending sequence headed by a King may fill an empty tableau pile.
• Sequence Movement: A sequence of cards built down in alternating colors can be moved as a unit between tableau piles.
• Stock Dealing: When dealing from the stock, cards are placed onto all tableau piles, even empty ones.
• No Reserve/Cell: Unlike Miss Milligan, Little Milligan does not have a reserve or “pocket” for temporarily holding cards.
• No Redeal: Once the stock is exhausted, there is no redeal; play continues only with the cards on the tableau and foundations.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main area where cards are arranged in columns and manipulated according to building rules.
• Foundation: The target piles where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The pile of undealt cards, used to introduce new cards into play.
• Sequence: A group of cards arranged in descending order by alternating color.

This guide provides the essential rules and mechanics for playing Little Milligan Solitaire, focusing strictly on gameplay procedures and omitting non-essential background information for clarity and precision.