Ten Across

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Ten Across Solitaire is to move all 52 cards from the tableau and cells to the four foundation piles, building each foundation up in ascending order by suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Standard 52-card deck (no Jokers).
• Tableau: Ten tableau piles are arranged in a single row across the play area.
  • Deal five cards face up to each tableau pile, using all 50 cards.
• Cells (Temporary Spots): Two cells are placed above the tableau, each containing one card face up at the start.
• Foundations: Four foundation piles above or beside the tableau, all starting empty.
• Face Orientation: All cards in the tableau and cells are dealt face up.

Ten Across Solitaire Rules:

• Foundations:

  • Build up by suit in ascending order (Ace to King).
  • Only Aces may be placed on empty foundations.
  • Only the top card of each foundation pile is accessible for play.

• Tableau:

  • Build down by suit in descending order (King to Ace).
  • For example, the 6♠ can be placed on the 7♠, and so forth.
  • Any single card or a group of cards (regardless of suit or sequence) may be moved together, but only if the top card of the moving group matches the suit and is one rank lower than the destination card.
  • Only Kings may be placed in empty tableau spaces.

• Cells:

  • Each cell can hold a single card at a time.
  • Any single card may be moved to an empty cell.
  • The top card in a cell is always accessible for play.
  • Some rule variants do not allow refilling cells once emptied.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:

  • Move cards between tableau piles, cells, and foundations according to the building rules.
  • Move any Ace to an empty foundation pile.
  • Move cards or valid sequences down by suit within the tableau.
  • Move cards into empty cells to temporarily free up cards.
  • Move cards from the tableau or cells to the foundations when possible.

• Introducing New Cards:

  • There is no stock or reserve; all cards are dealt at the start.
  • New cards enter play only through movement from tableau or cells.

• No Legal Moves:

  • If no further moves can be made according to the rules, play ends and the game is lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning:

  • All cards must be moved to the four foundation piles, each completed from Ace to King in the same suit.

• Losing:

  • The game is lost if no legal moves remain and not all cards have been moved to the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Tableau Spaces:

  • Only Kings may be moved to empty tableau piles.

• Filling Empty Cells:

  • Any single card may be moved to an empty cell.
  • In some variants, once a cell is emptied it may not be refilled; check the specific rules for the version being played.

• Moving Groups of Cards:

  • Any stack of cards may be moved together, regardless of their internal sequence, provided the move itself obeys the rule that the top card of the moving group is one rank lower and of the same suit as the destination card.

• Restrictions:

  • Only the top card of each tableau pile or cell is available for play unless moving a group as described above.
  • Only Aces may start a foundation; only Kings may fill empty tableau spaces.
  • There is no redeal or stock; all play is based on the initial layout.

• Strategy Note:

  • The use of cells is critical for freeing up moves; try to clear and utilize them efficiently.

This guide reflects the most widely accepted rules for Ten Across Solitaire, based on official and reputable sources. Always check the specific variant rules if playing a digital or house version.