Patient Pairs

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Patient Pairs Solitaire is to remove all cards from play by discarding pairs of cards of the same rank (for example, two Queens) until no cards remain or no further pairs can be formed.

Setup & Layout:

• Use a standard 52-card deck.
• Deal the cards into several piles (the precise number may vary by variant, but commonly all cards are dealt into 8 or more tableau piles).
• All cards are dealt face-up onto the tableau piles. There is no stock, foundation, or reserve in the classic Patient Pairs variant.
• The tableau is the only play area. Each pile in the tableau contains a stack of cards, with only the top card of each pile available for play.

Patient Pairs Solitaire Rules:

• Pairing: The fundamental rule is to discard pairs of cards of the same rank. Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for pairing and discarding.
• Discarding: To discard a pair, drop one top card onto another top card of the same rank; both are removed from play.
• No Building: There is no building up or down by suit or color. The only interaction is pairing identical ranks.
• Card Movement: You cannot move cards between piles except when discarding pairs. Only the top card of each pile is ever in play.
• Revealing Cards: When a top card is discarded, the next card beneath it in the pile becomes the new top card and is available for play.

Gameplay:

• On each turn, examine the top cards of all tableau piles.
• If two (or more) top cards share the same rank, select any pair and discard them by placing one on the other; both are removed from play.
• Continue discarding pairs as long as possible.
• After each discard, check the tableau for new available pairs (as new cards may be revealed).
• If no pairs are available among the top cards, the game is paused or ends.
• There are no new cards introduced from a stock or reserve; the only cards available are those in the tableau at setup.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win: The game is won if all cards are successfully discarded in pairs, leaving the tableau empty.
• Lose/Unwinnable: The game is lost (or ends in a stalemate) if no pairs remain among the top cards of the tableau piles and cards are left unpaired.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Empty Piles: When a pile becomes empty (all its cards have been discarded), it remains empty and cannot be refilled. Only the top cards of non-empty piles are ever available for pairing.
• Multiple Pairs: If several pairs are available, the player may choose which pair to discard first. The order of discarding may affect the outcome.
• No Rearrangement: There is no mechanism for rearranging cards between piles or moving cards to fill empty spaces.
• No Suit or Color Restrictions: Pairing is strictly by rank; suit and color are irrelevant.
• No Redeal: Once all possible pairs are discarded, if cards remain and no pairs are available, the game ends; there is no redeal or reshuffle.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The primary play area consisting of several piles of cards dealt face-up, with only the top card of each pile available for play.
• Pair: Two cards of the same rank (e.g., two 7s, two Kings).

This ruleset describes the unique mechanics and flow of Patient Pairs Solitaire as documented in official sources.