Simple Simon

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Simple Simon Solitaire is to assemble four complete sequences of cards in descending order from King to Ace, all in the same suit, within the tableau. Once a full suit sequence is completed, it is removed from play. The game is won when all cards are organized into these four suit sequences and no cards remain on the tableau.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Standard 52-card deck (no Jokers).
• Tableau: The play area consists of 10 tableau columns:
• The first three columns each receive 8 cards.
• The next seven columns receive 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 card(s) respectively.
• Card Orientation: All cards are dealt face up; there are no face-down cards.
• Foundations: There are no separate foundation piles in most implementations; completed suit sequences are automatically removed from the tableau. Some digital versions visually display foundation piles, but these are not used during play.
• Stock & Waste: There is no stock (draw pile) and no waste pile in Simple Simon Solitaire.

Simple Simon Solitaire Rules:

• Building on Tableau:
• Cards are built down in rank (e.g., 7 on 8), regardless of suit.
• Aces are the lowest rank; no card can be placed on an Ace.
• Moving Cards:
• The top card of any tableau column is available for play.
• Single cards can be moved onto any card of the next higher rank in any suit.
• Sequences of cards in descending order and of the same suit may be moved as a unit (e.g., 10♠ 9♠ 8♠ moved together).
• Mixed-suit sequences cannot be moved as a group; only in-suit descending sequences may be moved together.
• Completing Sequences:
• When a complete suit sequence from King to Ace is formed in a tableau column, it is automatically removed from play (or moved to a foundation area in some digital versions).

Gameplay:

• Player Actions:
• Move the top card of any tableau column onto another tableau column, building down by rank regardless of suit.
• Move a group of cards in descending order and of the same suit as a unit onto another tableau column, provided the move follows the building rule.
• Fill any empty tableau column with any available single card or any valid descending sequence (regardless of suit).
• No Stock or Redeal:
• There is no stock to draw from and no redeal; all cards are in play from the start.
• No New Cards Introduced:
• Since all cards are dealt at the start, no new cards enter play during the game.
• No Moves Available:
• If no legal moves remain (no cards or sequences can be moved), play ends and the game is lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The player wins when all four complete suit sequences from King to Ace have been assembled and removed from the tableau, leaving the tableau empty.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost if no more legal moves can be made and not all suit sequences have been completed.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Columns:
• Any empty tableau column may be filled with any single card or any valid descending sequence (regardless of suit).
• Restrictions:
• Kings may be placed in any empty column, but cannot be placed on an Ace.
• Only in-suit, descending sequences may be moved as a group; mixed-suit sequences must be moved one card at a time or as smaller in-suit segments.
• Automatic Removal:
• Completed suit sequences (King to Ace, same suit) are automatically removed from the tableau.
• No Redeal:
• There is no redeal; all moves must be made with the cards available on the tableau from the initial deal.

Definitions:

• Tableau: The main play area consisting of 10 columns where all cards are placed face up at the start.
• Sequence: A group of cards in strict descending order (e.g., 9-8-7) and, for moves as a unit, all of the same suit.

This guide provides a precise and comprehensive overview of the rules and gameplay mechanics for Simple Simon Solitaire, focusing exclusively on the formal structure and card movement logic required to play the game.