Steps

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Steps Solitaire is to build up all foundation piles in suit from Ace to King, using all cards from the tableau, reserve, and stock piles.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total), with all Aces removed before shuffling.
• Foundations: There are eight foundation piles, one for each suit (since Aces are removed, these will be built starting from Two).
• Tableau: Deal out eight tableau piles. Each pile receives four cards, all dealt face up. Arrange these piles in a single horizontal row.
• Reserve: After dealing the tableau, count out 29 cards from the remaining deck to form the reserve pile. Place the reserve pile above or beside the tableau and turn the top card face up.
• Stock: The rest of the cards form the stock pile, which is set aside for later use (if applicable; some versions may use only the reserve as the source of new cards).
• Waste: If a stock is used, cards drawn from the stock and not immediately playable may be placed in a waste pile.

Key Play Areas:

• Tableau: Eight piles, each with four face-up cards.
• Reserve: A single pile of 29 cards, with only the top card accessible.
• Foundations: Eight piles, built by suit.
• Stock/Waste: If used, these are additional piles for drawing and discarding cards.

Steps Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement: Only the top card of each tableau pile and the top card of the reserve are available for play at any time.
• Building on Tableau: Cards in the tableau are built down in rank, alternating suit colors (e.g., red on black or black on red).
• Moving Sequences: You may move a single card or a correctly ordered sequence (descending, alternating colors) from one tableau pile to another.
• Moving from Reserve: The top card of the reserve pile may be played onto the tableau or directly to the foundations if legal.
• Foundations: Build up by suit from Two to King (since Aces are removed), one suit per foundation pile.
• Empty Tableau Piles: Any single card or valid sequence may be moved into an empty tableau pile.

Gameplay:

• On your turn, examine all available moves:
• Move cards or sequences between tableau piles, following the building rules.
• Move the top card of the reserve to a tableau pile or foundation, if possible.
• Move cards from tableau or reserve to the foundations when legal.
• When a tableau pile becomes empty, fill it immediately with any available card or sequence.
• If no moves are possible and a stock is used, draw from the stock pile (if available) and place the card on the waste or directly into play.
• If the reserve pile is exhausted, continue play with only tableau and foundation moves.
• If no moves remain and no cards are left in the reserve or stock, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win: The game is won when all cards have been moved to the foundations, with each foundation built up in suit from Two to King.
• Lose: The game is lost if no legal moves remain and not all cards are in the foundations, or if the reserve and tableau cannot be further played.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Empty Tableau Piles: Unlike some solitaire variants, any card or sequence may fill an empty tableau pile, not just Kings.
• Redeal: You are allowed one redeal per game. After the stock is exhausted, gather up the waste pile (if used), turn it over to form a new stock, and continue play.
• Reserve Accessibility: Only the top card of the reserve is ever accessible; cards beneath remain unavailable until the top card is played.
• No Rebuilding Foundations: Once a card is placed on a foundation, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or reserve.

Note: Some minor variations may exist, but the above rules reflect the most widely cited and authoritative descriptions of Steps Solitaire. Always consult the specific rules provided with your game or chosen platform for any house rule modifications.