Tens Out

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Tens Out Solitaire is to remove all cards from the tableau by discarding pairs of cards whose ranks add up to exactly 10, or by removing individual 10s. The game is won when all tableau cards are removed or only face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) remain, depending on the variant.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck with Jokers removed.
• Tableau: Deal 12 cards face-up in a grid (commonly 3 rows of 4, but any arrangement of 12 cards is acceptable).
• Stock: The remaining cards form a face-down stock pile to replenish the tableau as cards are removed.
• Play Areas Defined:
• Tableau: The main play area where 12 face-up cards are visible at all times (until the stock is depleted).
• Stock: The pile from which new cards are dealt to refill empty tableau spaces.

Tens Out Solitaire Rules:

• Pairing: Remove any two cards from the tableau whose total value is exactly 10. Valid pairs are:
• Ace (1) + 9
• 2 + 8
• 3 + 7
• 4 + 6
• 5 + 5
• Single Card Removal: Any 10 can be removed as a single card.
• Face Cards: Jacks, Queens, and Kings are not used for pairing and cannot be removed by pairing. In some variants, the game is considered won when only face cards remain.
• Replacement: Each time cards are removed from the tableau, immediately fill the empty spaces with cards from the stock, always keeping 12 cards face-up if possible.
• No Building: There is no building of sequences or movement between tableau piles. Only removal of valid pairs or single 10s is permitted.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:
• Scan the tableau for any two cards whose values sum to 10, or for any 10s.
• Remove the valid pair or single 10 from the tableau.
• Immediately fill any empty spaces in the tableau with cards from the stock, one card per empty space, maintaining 12 face-up cards if possible.
• Repeat the process as long as valid pairs or 10s are present and the stock is not empty.
• Stock Depletion: Once the stock is exhausted, continue removing pairs or 10s from the remaining tableau cards. Do not refill empty spaces after the stock runs out.
• No Moves Available: If no valid pairs or 10s are present and the stock is depleted, the game ends.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Win Condition: The game is won if all cards are removed from the tableau, or if only face cards (Jacks, Queens, Kings) remain, depending on the variant.
• Loss Condition: The game is lost if no valid pairs or 10s remain on the tableau and the stock is empty, with non-face cards still present.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces: Always refill empty tableau spaces immediately from the stock, one card per space, until the stock is depleted.
• Face Cards: Jacks, Queens, and Kings cannot be paired or removed except by emptying the tableau of all other cards. In some variants, the game ends when only these cards remain.
• No Redeal: There is no redeal or reshuffling of the stock. Once the stock is empty, play continues only with the remaining tableau cards.
• Dead Ends: If the tableau consists only of cards that cannot be paired to make 10 (including face cards and unmatchable non-face cards), and the stock is empty, the game is unwinnable.

Key Definitions:

• Tableau: The main area of play with 12 face-up cards.
• Stock: The face-down pile used to replenish the tableau.
• Face Cards: Jacks, Queens, and Kings, which cannot be paired or removed except as the final cards in some variants.

This guide covers the core mechanics, setup, and unique rules specific to Tens Out Solitaire as supported by official and widely accepted sources.