Putt Putt

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Putt Putt Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau to the foundation pile. The game is won when the tableau is completely cleared, regardless of any remaining cards in the stock.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck.
• Tableau: Deal 35 cards face-up in seven columns of five cards each. All cards in the tableau are visible and accessible only from the top of each pile.
• Foundation: Place one card face-up beneath the tableau to start the foundation pile. This pile is where cards are built during play.
• Stock: The remaining 16 cards form the stock, which is placed face-down next to the foundation pile.
• Play Areas Defined:
  • Tableau: Seven columns where cards are initially laid out and from which cards are played.
  • Foundation: The central pile where cards are sequentially built up or down.
  • Stock: The reserve pile used to introduce new cards into play when no moves are available.

Putt Putt Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement:
  • Only the top card of each tableau column may be moved to the foundation.
  • Cards are moved from the tableau to the foundation if they are one rank higher or lower than the foundation's current top card, regardless of suit.
• Building Sequences:
  • Sequences can be built up or down without regard to suit (e.g., 7 can be played on 6 or 8).
  • Continuous ranking (wrapping): You may play a King on an Ace and an Ace on a King, allowing sequences to wrap around in both directions.
• Stock Usage:
  • When no moves are possible from the tableau, turn over the top card of the stock and place it face-up on the foundation. Resume play from the tableau as possible.

Gameplay:

• Sequence of Actions:
  • Move any eligible top card from the tableau to the foundation if it is one rank above or below the foundation's top card.
  • Only one card may be moved at a time; sequences cannot be moved together.
  • If no moves are possible, reveal the next card from the stock and place it on the foundation.
  • Continue making moves from the tableau to the foundation as allowed.
• Introducing New Cards:
  • New cards enter play only via the stock, which is used when tableau moves are exhausted.
• No Moves Available:
  • If neither the tableau nor the stock provides a legal move, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition: The game is won when all cards are removed from the tableau and placed on the foundation, regardless of remaining stock cards.
• Losing Condition: The game is lost or unwinnable if no legal moves remain and cards are still present in the tableau when the stock is exhausted.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces: There are no rules for filling empty tableau piles; once a column is emptied, it remains empty for the rest of the game.
• Continuous Ranking: Unlike standard Golf Solitaire, wrapping is permitted (Ace-King adjacency), which increases possible moves and strategic options.
• Suit Irrelevant: Card movement is governed strictly by rank, not suit.
• No Redeals: Once the stock is exhausted, there is no redeal.
• Impossible Tableaus: If the initial tableau makes it impossible to complete the game (e.g., all Queens covered by Kings), reshuffling and redealing is permitted.

Key Terms Defined:

• Tableau: The main play area consisting of seven columns of face-up cards.
• Foundation: The central pile where cards are sequentially built up or down.
• Stock: The face-down reserve pile used to introduce new cards into play.

This guide covers all essential mechanics and edge cases for playing Putt Putt Solitaire according to official and authoritative sources.