Martha

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Martha Solitaire is to move all 52 cards from the tableau to the four foundation piles, building each foundation in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck Used: A standard 52-card deck is used.
• Foundations: Four piles, each starting with an Ace of a different suit. These are placed in a column or row and serve as the destination for all cards.
• Tableau: Twelve tableau piles are created. Each pile contains four cards, dealt in four rows. The cards are dealt alternately face down and face up:
  • Row 1: Face down
  • Row 2: Face up
  • Row 3: Face down
  • Row 4: Face up This results in each tableau pile having two face-down and two face-up cards, with the face-up cards exposed for play.
• Stock, Reserve, Cells: There are no stock, reserve, or cell piles in Martha Solitaire.
• Exposed Cards: Only the top (face-up) card of each tableau pile is available for play. When a face-down card becomes the top card, it is turned face up and becomes available.

Martha Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:
  • Build up by suit, starting with Ace and proceeding to King (e.g., 2♠ on Ace♠, 3♠ on 2♠, etc.).
  • Cards placed on the foundation cannot be moved back to the tableau.
• Tableau:
  • Build down by alternating colors (red on black or black on red), regardless of suit (e.g., 10♠ on J♥).
  • Sequences built down by alternating color may be moved together as a unit to another tableau pile.
  • Only the exposed (face-up) top card or a packed sequence can be moved.
• Movement Restrictions:
  • Any single card or valid descending sequence (alternating colors) can be moved to another tableau pile.
  • Spaces (empty tableau piles) may be filled with any single card, but not with a sequence.
  • When a face-down card is exposed (becomes the top card of a tableau pile), it is immediately turned face up and becomes available for play.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:
  • Examine the tableau for available moves: build foundations, build tableau sequences, and move sequences or single cards between tableau piles as allowed.
  • Move exposed cards or sequences to the foundations whenever possible.
  • Move sequences built down by alternating color between tableau piles to free up cards and create empty spaces.
  • Fill empty tableau piles with any single available card.
  • When a face-down card becomes exposed, flip it face up and continue play.
• No Stock or Redeal: There is no stock pile or redeal. All play occurs within the tableau and foundations.
• If No Moves Are Available: If no legal moves remain and not all cards are on the foundations, the game is lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition: The player wins when all cards are moved to the foundations, with each foundation containing a complete sequence from Ace to King in the same suit.
• Losing Condition: The game is lost if no further legal moves are possible and not all cards have been transferred to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles: Only a single card may be placed into an empty tableau pile; sequences cannot be moved into empty spaces.
• Moving Sequences: Any portion of a descending, alternating-color sequence may be moved as a unit between tableau piles.
• Exposing Face-Down Cards: When a face-down card becomes the top card in a tableau pile, it is immediately turned face up and becomes available for play.
• No Card Recycling: Once a card is placed on a foundation, it cannot be moved back to the tableau.
• No Stock or Redeal: The game is played entirely with the initial tableau and foundations; there is no stock or redeal mechanism.

Key Terms Defined:

• Foundation: The piles where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: The main play area consisting of twelve piles where cards are built down by alternating color.
• Sequence: A group of cards built down by alternating color that may be moved together.
• Exposed Card: The top face-up card in a tableau pile, available for play.
• Packed Sequence: A sequence of cards in descending order by alternating color, which can be moved as a unit.

This guide provides a semantically precise and comprehensive overview of how to play Martha Solitaire using official sources and established gameplay conventions.