Algerian (solitaire)

Algerian (also known as Algerian Patience) is a unique and difficult solitaire game using two decks of playing cards. The object of the game is to build 8 Foundations down from King to Ace or up from Ace to King in suit.

Layout

Algerian has eight Tableau Stacks. Four of the Tableau Stacks contain only one card. The other four contain 2 cards each. Towards the bottom are six Reserve Stacks of four cards each. Eight Foundations are present towards the top. Four Foundations start with an Ace and build up in suit. The other four start with a King and build down in suit.

Here is an example: A♥, 2♥, 3♥, 4♥... OR K♣, Q♣, J♣, 10♣...

The Deck is towards the bottom right.

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  Algerian Layout

Rules

Cards in the Tableau or the Reserve can be moved to a Foundation or onto another Tableau Stack. Only the topmost card of any stack can be moved. The Tableau builds up or down in suit.

Here is an example: 4♦, 5♦, 6♦... OR 6♠, 5♠, 4♠...

Tableau Stacks can wrap from King to Ace. An emptied stack can be filled with any card. Cards from the Reserve can play onto the Tableau or Foundations, but NOT onto other Reserve Piles. When game play comes to a standstill, click or tap on the deck to deal two cards onto each Reserve Pile. The final time you go through the deck, it will deal one card to each Tableau Pile. Eventually the Foundations of the same suit will meet.

Here is an example: One builds up A♣, 2♣, 3♣, 4♣, 5♣, 6♣ AND the other builds down K♣, Q♣, J♣, 10♣, 9♣, 8♣, 7♣

At this time, the cards can be transferred between these two foundations. The game is won after all cards have been moved to the Foundations.

See also

• List of solitaires
• Glossary of solitaire