Repair

Game Objective:

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

Setup & Layout:

• Deck Used: Standard 52-card deck.
• Initial Arrangement:
• Tableau: Cards are arranged in several columns (the exact number may vary by implementation, but typically seven), with each column containing cards laid out so that only the top card is available for play.
• Cells: There are four cells, each able to hold a single card. These act as temporary storage spaces for cards during play.
• Foundations: Four foundation piles, one for each suit, are empty at the start.
• Face-Up/Face-Down: All tableau cards are dealt face-up, making them immediately available for play. Cells and foundations are empty at the start.

Repair Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement Principles:
• Only the top card of each tableau column or any card in a cell is available for play.
• Cards may be moved from the tableau or cells to the foundations, provided they follow suit and ascending rank order (Ace to King).
• Cards can be moved into any empty cell, but only one card per cell is allowed at any time.
• Cards from cells can be moved back to the tableau or to the foundation as needed.
• Building Sequences:
• Foundations: Cards are built up by suit, starting from Ace and ending with King.
• Tableau: Cards may be moved between tableau columns following descending order and alternating colors (e.g., red on black, black on red).
• Movement Conditions:
• Any available card (top of tableau or from a cell) can be moved to an empty cell, to another tableau column (if it follows descending, alternating color rule), or to the foundation (if it follows ascending, same suit rule).

Gameplay:

• Typical Sequence of Actions:
• Move available cards from tableau or cells to the foundations whenever possible.
• Use cells to temporarily hold cards to facilitate further moves in the tableau.
• Rearrange cards in the tableau by moving cards between columns, adhering to descending order and alternating colors.
• Fill empty cells with any available card from the tableau.
• Introducing New Cards:
• There is no stock or reserve pile in Repair Solitaire; all cards are in play from the start, either in the tableau or cells.
• When No Legal Moves Remain:
• If no moves are possible (i.e., no cards can be moved to the foundation, tableau, or cells), the game is considered unwinnable at that point.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning: The game is won when all cards have been moved to the foundation piles, each built up by suit from Ace to King.
• Losing/Unwinnable State: The game is lost or unwinnable if no further legal moves can be made and not all cards are in the foundation piles.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces:
• Any available card can be moved into an empty cell, but only one card per cell is allowed.
• Empty tableau columns can typically be filled with a King or a sequence starting with a King, following the standard solitaire convention (if applicable to the variant).
• Unique Restrictions:
• Only one card is allowed per cell; sequences cannot be moved into cells.
• Cards can be moved from cells back to the tableau or to the foundation at any time.
• There is no stock or waste pile; all gameplay revolves around manipulating cards in tableau and cells.
• Exceptions:
• If an empty tableau column is created, only a King (or sequence starting with a King) may be placed there, depending on the variant's rules.

Key Terms Defined:

• Tableau: The main play area consisting of several columns of cards, with only the top card of each column available for play.
• Cell: A temporary holding space for a single card, used for strategic maneuvering.
• Foundation: The goal piles where cards are built up by suit from Ace to King.

This guide is based on the official rules for Repair Solitaire as described in authoritative sources.