Tens

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Tens Solitaire is to remove all cards from the tableau by forming and discarding valid sets. Valid sets are either:

• Pairs of cards whose values sum to ten (e.g., Ace + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5), or
• Quadruplets of cards of the same rank for Tens, Jacks, Queens, or Kings (i.e., four Tens, four Jacks, four Queens, or four Kings).

The game is won if the player successfully removes all cards from play using these combinations.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck. Remove Jokers if present.
• Tableau: Deal thirteen cards face up in a row or grid to form the tableau piles. Each pile contains one face-up card.
• Stock: Place the remaining cards face down to form the stock pile.
• Foundation (optional): A foundation area may be designated to collect discarded sets, but this is not required for gameplay.
• Key Play Areas:
• Tableau: Thirteen face-up piles, each holding one card.
• Stock: The undealt cards, used to refill empty tableau spaces.
• Foundation: Area for removed sets (optional for tracking progress).

Tens Solitaire Rules:

• Card Removal:
• Remove any pair of tableau cards that sum to ten, regardless of suit.
• Valid pairs: Ace + 9, 2 + 8, 3 + 7, 4 + 6, 5 + 5.
• Remove any set of four cards of the same rank for Tens, Jacks, Queens, or Kings (i.e., four Tens, four Jacks, four Queens, or four Kings).
• Movement:
• Only the top card of each tableau pile is available for pairing or forming sets.
• There is no building (i.e., you do not stack cards in order or by suit).
• Refilling:
• Whenever a tableau pile becomes empty, immediately fill it with the top card from the stock, if any remain.
• No Redeal:
• Once the stock is exhausted, empty tableau spaces remain empty for the rest of the game.

Gameplay:

1. Identify and Remove Sets:

• Examine the tableau for any valid pairs (that sum to ten) or quadruplets (four of a kind for Tens, Jacks, Queens, or Kings).
• Remove these cards from the tableau and place them in the foundation area (optional).

1. Refill Empty Spaces:

• Immediately fill any empty tableau pile with a card drawn from the stock.
• Continue to fill spaces as long as cards remain in the stock.

1. Repeat:

• Continue removing pairs and quadruplets, refilling spaces as possible.

1. No More Moves:

• If no valid moves remain and the stock is depleted, the game ends.
• If all cards have been removed, the player wins.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The game is won when all cards have been successfully removed from the tableau by forming valid sets as described above.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost (or unwinnable) if there are no more valid moves and the stock is exhausted, leaving cards stranded in the tableau.
• Some games may be unwinnable from the start due to the initial deal.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces:
• Only refill empty tableau piles immediately with the next card from the stock. If the stock is exhausted, empty spaces remain unfilled.
• Valid Sets Clarification:
• Pairs do not need to be of the same suit—only the sum matters.
• Quadruplets for Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings must be all four cards of that rank, regardless of suit.
• No Stock Manipulation:
• The stock is used only for refilling empty tableau spaces. Players may not look through, reorder, or otherwise manipulate the stock.
• No Redeals:
• There is no redeal; once the stock runs out, it cannot be reshuffled or reused.
• Edge Case—No Moves Possible:
• If the tableau contains only cards that cannot form valid pairs or quadruplets, and the stock is empty, the game ends immediately as a loss.

Note: The above guide reflects the standard rules for Tens Solitaire as documented in official and widely recognized sources. Minor variations may exist, but these do not alter the core gameplay mechanics described here.