Rank and File

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Rank and File Solitaire is to move all cards from the tableau, stock, and waste to the eight foundation piles, building each foundation up by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Two standard 52-card decks (total 104 cards).
• Tableau: Ten tableau piles. Each pile is dealt four cards:
  • The bottom three cards of each pile are dealt face down.
  • The top card of each pile is dealt face up and is exposed for play.
• Foundations: Eight foundation piles, initially empty, positioned above the tableau. Each foundation will be built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The remaining 64 cards (after the tableau is dealt) form the stock, placed face down.
• Waste: A single waste pile is reserved. Cards from the stock are dealt one at a time to the waste pile; only the top card of the waste is available for play.

Key Play Areas Defined:

• Tableau: The main play area where cards are built down in alternating colors.
• Foundations: The goal area where cards are built up by suit.
• Stock: The draw pile for new cards.
• Waste: The discard pile for cards drawn from the stock.

Rank and File Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:

  • Foundations are built up by suit, starting from Ace and ending with King (e.g., Ace♠, 2♠, 3♠ … King♠).
  • Only an Ace may be placed on an empty foundation.
  • Cards must be placed in ascending order and matching suit.

• Tableau:

  • Tableaus are built down in alternating colors (e.g., a red 6 can be placed on a black 7).
  • Any card or valid sequence of cards (built down in alternating colors) can be moved together as a group between tableau piles.
  • Only the top face-up card of each pile is available for play; when it is moved, the next face-down card beneath is turned face up.
  • Empty tableau piles may be filled with any card or sequence of cards.

• Stock and Waste:

  • Cards are drawn one at a time from the stock to the waste pile.
  • The top card of the waste pile is available for play to either the tableau or the foundations.
  • There is no redeal; once the stock is exhausted, no new cards can be drawn.

Gameplay:

• Sequence of Actions:

  • Move exposed cards from the tableau to the foundations whenever possible, following the build-up-by-suit rule.
  • Move cards within the tableau, building down in alternating colors. You may move single cards or sequences that meet the build condition.
  • Fill empty tableau piles with any card or valid sequence.
  • Draw cards from the stock one at a time to the waste pile. The top waste card is available for play.
  • When the top card of a tableau pile is moved, turn the next face-down card in that pile face up.

• Introducing New Cards:

  • Cards are introduced into play by drawing from the stock to the waste pile.
  • Only the top card of the waste is available for play to tableau or foundations.

• When No Legal Moves Remain:

  • If no moves are possible and the stock is exhausted, the game ends in a loss.
  • Continue to move cards within the tableau and from the waste as long as possible, even after the stock is depleted.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:

  • The game is won when all cards are successfully moved to the eight foundation piles, built up by suit from Ace to King.

• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:

  • The game is lost or becomes unwinnable if no more legal moves can be made and the stock is depleted, leaving cards stranded in the tableau or waste.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Piles:

  • Any card or valid descending sequence (built in alternating colors) may be placed in an empty tableau pile.

• Turning Over Face-Down Cards:

  • When the top face-up card of a tableau pile is moved, immediately turn the next face-down card in that pile face up.

• Moving Sequences:

  • Any number of cards forming a valid descending sequence in alternating colors may be moved together between tableau piles.
  • Sequences may be split and moved in part or whole, as long as the build condition is met.

• Stock/Waste Restrictions:

  • No redeals are permitted; once the stock is exhausted, no further cards can be drawn.
  • Only the top card of the waste pile is available for play.

• Strategy Note:

  • It is often advantageous to delay moving cards to the foundations to avoid burying low-ranked cards and to maximize playfield flexibility.

• Alternate Names:

  • Also known as Dress Parade or Ten Little Indians.

Summary of Key Terms:

• Tableau: The main play area with ten piles, built down in alternating colors.
• Foundation: The goal area, built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Stock: The draw pile for new cards.
• Waste: The discard pile for cards drawn from the stock; only the top card is playable.

This guide provides the definitive rules and gameplay mechanics for Rank and File Solitaire using the most authoritative sources available.