Scorpion Head

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Scorpion Head Solitaire is to assemble four complete in-suit sequences in the tableau, each running from King down to Ace. When a full sequence from King to Ace of the same suit is formed, it is considered complete and removed from the tableau. The game is won when all cards are organized into these four suit-specific descending sequences.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck (no Jokers).
• Tableau: Arrange the tableau into 7 columns:
  • First 4 columns: Each receives 3 face-down cards at the bottom, then 4 face-up cards on top (total 7 cards per column).
  • Last 3 columns: Each receives 7 face-up cards (no face-down cards).
• Reserve (Stock): The remaining 3 cards are placed face-down in a reserve pile, set aside to be dealt later.
• Play Areas Defined:
  • Tableau: The main area with 7 columns where all play occurs.
  • Reserve: A pile of 3 face-down cards used to inject new cards into play when needed.
• Visibility: Only the bottom 3 cards of each of the first 4 columns are face-down at the start; all other cards are face-up.

Scorpion Head Solitaire Rules:

• Building Sequences:
  • Cards are built downward in suit (e.g., 9♣ on 10♣).
  • Only sequences of the same suit count toward the win condition.
• Card Movements:
  • Any face-up card in the tableau can be moved, along with all cards stacked below it, as a unit.
  • The moved group must be placed onto a card of the same suit and one rank higher (e.g., move 7♦ and all below it onto 8♦).
  • If a face-down card becomes the top card of a column, it is immediately turned face-up.
• Empty Columns:
  • Only a King (or a group of cards headed by a King) can be moved to fill an empty tableau column.
• Reserve Cards:
  • When no more moves are available, the 3 reserve cards are dealt face-up, one to each of the first three columns of the tableau.
  • This can only be done once per game.

Gameplay:

• Action Sequence:
  • Examine the tableau for possible moves: move any face-up card (and all cards below it) onto a card of the same suit and one rank higher.
  • Continue making legal moves, uncovering face-down cards to increase available options.
  • When a face-down card is exposed, flip it face-up immediately.
  • If a column becomes empty, fill it only with a King or a King-headed sequence.
• Introducing Reserve Cards:
  • When no further moves are possible, deal the 3 reserve cards, one each to the first three columns, face-up.
  • After dealing the reserve, continue play as before.
• No More Moves:
  • If no legal moves remain after using the reserve cards, the game is over and considered lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning:
  • The game is won when all four in-suit, descending sequences from King to Ace are completed and removed from the tableau.
• Losing/Unwinnable State:
  • The game is lost if no further legal moves can be made and the reserve cards have already been dealt, or if it becomes impossible to form the required sequences due to the arrangement of cards.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Columns: Only a King or a sequence starting with a King may be placed in an empty tableau column.
• Moving Groups: When moving a card, you must also move all cards stacked below it, regardless of their order or suit. However, only sequences built strictly in-suit and in descending order count toward victory.
• Reserve Use: The reserve pile may only be dealt once per game, and only when no other moves are available.
• Face-Down Card Exposure: Any face-down card that becomes the top card of a column is immediately turned face-up.
• Alternative Variants: Some digital versions offer an "easy" mode, allowing any card to fill an empty column, but standard rules restrict this to Kings only.

Note: Scorpion Head Solitaire is a challenging game with a low win rate, requiring careful planning and strategic movement to successfully uncover face-down cards and assemble the necessary sequences.