Sixteen Piles

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Sixteen Piles Solitaire is to move all cards onto fan piles by matching cards of equal rank, ultimately clearing the tableau by grouping all cards into piles of identical rank.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck Used: Standard 52-card deck.
• Initial Arrangement: Deal all 52 cards into sixteen fan piles, each containing three cards. The piles are splayed downward in a fan-like shape.
• Play Areas:
• Fan Piles: The only play area; there are sixteen piles arranged in a fan.
• Card Orientation: All cards are dealt face up at the start of the game.

Sixteen Piles Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement:
• Only the top card of each fan pile may be moved.
• A card may be placed onto another fan pile only if it is of equal rank to the top card of that pile (for example, a 7 may be placed on another 7).
• Sequence Building:
• There is no building up or down by suit or color. The sole criterion for placement is equal rank.
• Moving Cards:
• You may move a single card at a time.
• Cards cannot be moved in groups or sequences; only individual cards are eligible for movement.

Gameplay:

• Typical Turn:
• Examine the top cards of all fan piles for possible moves.
• Move a top card onto another pile where the top card matches in rank.
• Continue moving cards as long as legal moves are available.
• No Stock or Reserve:
• There is no stock, reserve, or foundation in this variant; all cards are in play from the start.
• When No Moves Remain:
• If no top card matches are available, and no further moves can be made, play halts.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win Condition:
• The game is won when all cards have been consolidated into piles of identical rank, clearing the tableau so that each pile contains only cards of the same rank.
• Loss/Unwinnable State:
• The game is lost or considered unwinnable if no legal moves remain and the tableau cannot be cleared into piles of identical rank.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Empty Piles:
• If a pile becomes empty, no cards may be placed into empty spaces; only piles with at least one card are eligible for receiving cards.
• Restrictions:
• Only the top card of each pile may be moved.
• No sequences, suit, or color rules apply—strictly matching rank is required for all moves.
• Exceptions:
• There are no reshuffles, redeals, or stock draws in this variant.
• All cards are always visible, and there is no hidden information.

Definitions:

• Fan Pile: A pile of cards splayed so all are visible, with only the top card eligible for movement.
• Tableau: In this variant, refers to the sixteen fan piles collectively.

This guide is based on official and reputable sources, ensuring precise coverage of the unique ruleset for Sixteen Piles Solitaire.