How to Play Prisoner Solitaire
Prisoner Solitaire Rules
| Players: 1 | Type: Solitaire | Supplies: 1 Deck |
Objective
The objective of Prisoner is to move all nine reserve cards to the middle tableau pile.
Setup
Remove all 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s from the deck and game; they are not used. Deal a three-by-three grid to form the nine reserve cells, with one card per cell. Deal a column of three tableau piles, with one card per pile. Place the remaining deck face down to form the stock.
Game Play
If any card from one of the nine reserve cells matches in rank with the top card of the middle tableau pile, move all matching cards onto the middle tableau pile. When there are no more available moves, deal a card onto each of the three tableau piles. For example, since the 7 of diamonds and the 7 of clubs match the 7 of spades in the middle tableau pile, move the 7 of diamonds and 7 of clubs onto the 7 of spades; then deal a card onto each of the three tableau piles and continue. When there are no more cards in the stock and no more moves, the game is over.
To Win
Prisoner is won if all nine reserve cards are played onto the middle tableau pile. If there are still cards in the three-by-three grid after the stock is depleted and there are no more moves, the game is lost.