Will o the Wisp

Game Objective:

The primary goal in Will o' the Wisp Solitaire is to build four complete sequences of thirteen cards each, from King down to Ace in the same suit, within the tableau columns. Once a full King-to-Ace sequence of the same suit is formed, it is immediately removed from play.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck.
• Tableau: Deal seven tableau columns. Each column receives three cards, with the bottom two cards face down and the top card face up.
• Stock: The remaining 31 cards form the stock pile, held aside face down.
• Play Areas:
• Tableau: The main area with seven columns where cards are played and built.
• Stock: The pile from which new cards are dealt to the tableau columns.
• Face-Up/Face-Down: Only the top card in each tableau column is face up; other cards in the columns are face down at the start.
• Foundations: There are no traditional foundation piles; completed sequences are removed directly from the tableau.

Will o the Wisp Solitaire Rules:

• Building on Tableau:
• Cards are built down in rank (e.g., 7 on 8) regardless of suit or color.
• However, only sequences built entirely in the same suit (e.g., 9♠, 8♠, 7♠) can be moved together as a group between tableau columns.
• Mixed-suit sequences cannot be moved as a group; only individual cards may be moved in such cases.
• Moving Cards:
• Only the top face-up card of each tableau column is available for play, unless a same-suit sequence is present, in which case the entire sequence can be moved.
• Any card or any valid sequence may be moved to an empty tableau space.
• Dealing from Stock:
• When desired, deal one card from the stock face up onto each tableau column (provided every column contains at least one card).
• There are no redeals; once the stock is exhausted, no further cards can be dealt.
• Sequence Removal:
• When a full King-to-Ace sequence of the same suit is formed in a tableau column, it is immediately removed from play.

Gameplay:

• Turn Sequence:

1. Move available cards or valid sequences between tableau columns, building down in rank.
2. Move entire same-suit sequences if possible.
3. Fill empty tableau spaces with any available card or valid sequence.
4. When no more moves are possible or desirable, deal one new card from the stock onto each tableau column (all columns must be occupied before dealing).

• Introducing New Cards:
• New cards enter play only by dealing from the stock, one to each tableau column.
• No More Moves:
• If no legal moves are available and the stock is exhausted, the game ends.
• If moves remain but are not desirable, the player may choose to deal from the stock, but this is irreversible.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The player wins by removing all cards from the tableau through the formation and removal of four complete King-to-Ace same-suit sequences.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost or unwinnable if the player can make no further legal moves and the stock is depleted, leaving cards remaining in the tableau.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces:
• Any available card or valid sequence (regardless of suit) may be moved into an empty tableau column.
• King Placement:
• Kings do not have special restrictions in Will o' the Wisp Solitaire; any card or sequence may fill an empty space, including Kings.
• Sequence Movement:
• Only contiguous, same-suit, descending sequences can be moved as a group. Mixed-suit sequences cannot be moved together.
• Sequences may be split; any portion of a valid same-suit sequence may be moved independently.
• Dealing Restrictions:
• The stock may only be dealt when all tableau columns contain at least one card.
• There are no redeals; once the stock is empty, it cannot be replenished.
• Automatic Removal:
• When a King-to-Ace sequence in the same suit is completed, it is immediately removed from the tableau, freeing up space for further play.

Note: Will o' the Wisp Solitaire is a variant of Spiderette, with a smaller tableau and a single deck, making it more accessible but still requiring careful management of sequences and stock cards.