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.

Rules

Algerian has eight tableau stacks. Four of the tableau stacks contain only one card. The other four contain two cards each. Towards the bottom are six reserve stacks of four cards each. Eight foundations are present towards the top. Four start with an Ace and build up in suit (e.g. A♥, 2♥, 3♥, 4♥...), while the other four start with a King and build down in suit (e.g. K♣, Q♣, J♣, 10♣...)

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  Algerian Layout

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 (e.g 4♦, 5♦, 6♦... OR 6♠, 5♠, 4♠...)

Tableau stacks can wrap from King to Ace, and 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, deal two cards from the stock onto each reserve pile. The final time you go through the deck, deal one card to each tableau pile.

When the foundations of the same suit will meet (e.g. one builds up A♣, 2♣, 3♣, 4♣, 5♣, 6♣ and the other builds down K♣, Q♣, J♣, 10♣, 9♣, 8♣, 7♣), cards can be transferred between these two foundations.

The game is won after all cards have been moved to the foundations.

Variants

Carthage is a variant of Algerian. Other closely related games include Tournament and its variants.

See also

• List of solitaires
• Glossary of solitaire

References

Parlett, David. Teach Yourself Card Games for One

See also

• Tournament
• List of solitaires
• Glossary of solitaire