Midshipman

Game Objective:

The primary goal of Midshipman 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).
• Foundations: 8 piles, all initially empty. These are where you build up each suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: 9 piles. Each pile is dealt 4 cards: the bottom 2 cards are face-down, and the top 2 cards are face-up.
• Stock: The remaining cards after the tableau and foundations are set aside as the stock pile, face-down.
• Waste: An empty pile that will receive cards from the stock, one at a time, face-up.

Key Play Areas Defined:

• Foundation: Where suits are built up from Ace to King.
• Tableau: The main play area; cards are built down by any suit except the same suit.
• Stock: The draw pile for additional cards.
• Waste: Receives cards from the stock; only the top card is available for play.

Midshipman Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:
  • Build up by suit from Ace to King (e.g., 2♠ on Ace♠, 3♠ on 2♠, etc.).
  • Only Aces may be placed in empty foundation spaces.
  • Once a card is placed in a foundation, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or elsewhere.
• Tableau:
  • Build down in rank, but only by a card of a different suit (not the same suit).
    • Example: You may place a 6♦ on a 7♠, 7♣, or 7♥, but not on a 7♦.
  • Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for play.
  • Any single card may be moved to fill an empty tableau space.
• Stock and Waste:
  • Turn over one card at a time from stock to the waste pile.
  • Only the top card of the waste pile is available for play to the tableau or foundations.
  • Only one pass through the stock is allowed; there are no redeals.

Gameplay:

1. Initial Moves:
   • Examine the tableau and move any available Aces to empty foundation piles.
   • Continue building up foundations as possible, using available tableau and waste cards.
2. Tableau Play:
   • Move the top card of any tableau pile onto another tableau pile, following the rule of building down by a different suit.
   • Uncover face-down cards in the tableau by removing cards above them; once uncovered, these cards become available for play.
   • Fill any empty tableau pile with any single available card.
3. Stock and Waste:
   • When no further moves are available in the tableau, draw a card from the stock to the waste pile.
   • Play the top card of the waste pile to the tableau or foundations if possible.
   • Continue until the stock is exhausted; remember, there is only one pass through the stock.
4. Sequence of Actions:
   • Move cards to foundations whenever possible.
   • Build tableau piles down by different suits.
   • Use the stock and waste strategically, as there are no redeals.

If no legal moves remain and the stock is exhausted, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition: The game is won when all 104 cards are successfully moved to the eight foundation piles, each built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition: The game is lost or becomes unwinnable if no further legal moves are available in the tableau or waste, and the stock is exhausted before all cards are moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Spaces: Any single card may be moved into an empty tableau pile, regardless of suit or rank.
• Card Movement Restrictions: Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved as a unit.
• Face-Down Cards: Only the top face-up card of each tableau pile is available for play; once it is moved, the face-down card beneath is turned face-up and becomes available.
• No Redeals: There is only a single pass through the stock; once depleted, it cannot be reshuffled or reused.
• Foundations Are Final: Cards placed in the foundations cannot be moved back to the tableau or waste.
• Top Card Availability: Only the top card of each tableau or waste pile is playable at any time.

This guide provides a precise and comprehensive explanation of the unique mechanics and rules that define Midshipman Solitaire.