Rules for Opus Solitaire

Description:

Thomas Warfield's much more difficult version of Penguin has two fewer cells

Solsuite uses the name "Opus" for an entirely different game.

Cards:

One standard deck. Since colors don't matter, politaire substitutes a four-color deck of cards.

The rank of the lowest and highest card will be determined by the first card played into the foundation.

Goal:

Move all cards to the foundation.

Foundation:

Four foundation piles.

A random card will be dealt to a foundation pile. This is the base card. Other cards of the same value are dealt to the next two piles. Start the remaining piles with cards of same rank.

A card may be added onto a foundation pile if it is one higher than the old top card of the pile and of the same suit.Thus, the only card that could be played on a 10♠ would be a J♠.

Once on the foundation, cards may not be moved back off..

Cells:

Five cells, all initially empty

Each cell can hold one card. Available cards can be played into any cell. Cards from cells can be played back to the tableau or to the foundation.

Tableau:

Seven tableau piles of seven cards each, splayed downward. All cards are dealt face up.

The first column will be dealt with one of the one lowest cards in the deck at the bottom.

A card may be added onto a tableau pile if it is one lower than the old top card of the pile and of the same suit.Thus, the only card that could be played on a 6♠ would be a 5♠.

Cards on the tableau that are not under another card are available for play onto the foundation, an empty cell or any other tableau pile.

Empty spaces in the tableau may be filled by high cards only.

Groups of cards in sequence down may be moved from one tableau column to another if all cards are of the same suit.

Similar Games:

Penguin (Play) (Rules)

A satisfying game with seven cells developed by David Parlett where one of the cards you need to start the foundation is always buried at the bottom of the first tableau pile.

Tuxedo (Play) (Rules)

An easier variant of Penguin where all cards start on the tableau.

Eight Off (Play) (Rules)

A FreeCell variation with more cells, but where you can only build down in the same suit

FreeCell (Play) (Rules)

Invented by Paul Alfille, made famous by Microsoft, this game provide four temporary storage cells that can be used to move cards around.

References:

Pretty Good Solitaire