How to Play Stalactites Solitaire

Stalactites Solitaire Rules

| Players: 1 | Type: Solitaire | Supplies: 1 Deck |

Objective

The objective of Stalactites is to build up the four foundation piles in ascending order, regardless of suits.

Setup

Deal a row of four cards to form the four foundation piles. The four foundation piles will be different every game. Deal the rest of the cards into eight tableau piles of six cards each to form the tableau. Leave room for two reserve cells.

Game Play

There are two ways to build up the foundation piles. The player must decide which way they want to play after setup and before starting. The foundation piles are built in ascending order, either by one rank at a time (ace-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-jack-queen-king) or by two ranks at a time (ace-3-5-7-9-jack-king-2-4-6-8-10-queen). Whichever way is chosen applies to all four foundation piles.

Only the top card of each tableau pile and the card in each reserve cell are available for play onto a foundation pile. Foundation piles are built in ascending order, regardless of suit. If you are building up the foundation piles one rank at a time, an ace can be played on a king to continue the sequence. To add a card to a foundation pile being built up one rank at a time, the card must be one rank higher than the top card of the pile it is being played onto. If you are building up the foundation piles by two ranks at a time, an ace can be played on a queen, and a 2 can be played on a king. To add a card to a foundation pile that is being built up by two ranks at a time, the card must be two ranks higher than the top card of the pile it is being played onto.

The top card of each tableau pile is available for play onto a foundation pile or empty reserve cell. There are two reserve cells. Once a card enters a reserve cell, it may only leave the reserve cell by being added to a foundation pile and may not go back to a tableau pile. Only one card is allowed in each reserve cell at a time. Play continues until all cards are added to the foundation piles or there are no more moves.

To Win

Stalactites is won if all cards are moved from the tableau and reserve cells onto the foundation piles. If a player has cards in the tableau or reserve cells and has no more available moves, the game is lost.