SuitUP™ Solitaire

Octo-Solitaire

A strategic and exciting solo card game that expands the classic Solitaire with 8 suits and wild cards! Clear the tableau by building stacks in a new way while using your wild cards wisely to help you complete the foundations.

Objective

The goal of Octo-Solitaire is to build stacks of cards in ascending order (from Ace to King) for each of the 8 suits. Once all 8 stacks are completed, you win the game.

Setup

  1. Deck: Use the 8-suit SuitUp deck (8 suits, 112 cards).
  2. Tableau:
    • Deal 7 columns of cards (the tableau). The first column gets 1 card, the second gets 2 cards, and so on, up to 7 cards in the seventh column.
    • All cards in the tableau are dealt face up, except for the top card of each column.
  3. Foundation: There are 8 foundation piles (one for each suit). The goal is to build each foundation from Ace to King.
  4. Stock Pile: Place the remaining cards in a face-down stock pile. You'll draw from here during the game.

Gameplay

  1. Building the Tableau:

    • In the tableau, cards can be stacked in descending order by alternating colors (or suits). For example, a King of Hearts can go on a Queen of Spades.
    • A card can only be placed on top of another if it follows the alternating color rule (red on black, black on red).
    • Kings can be placed in empty tableau spaces.

  2. Building the Foundations:

    • Foundations must be built by suit, starting with the Ace and working up to the King (e.g., Ace of Stars, 2 of Stars, 3 of Stars, and so on).
    • Each foundation pile should contain cards of the same suit only.

  3. Stock Pile:

    • When no more moves can be made from the tableau, draw cards from the stock pile.
    • The top card of the stock pile is placed face-up next to the tableau and can be played to the tableau or the foundations.
    • You can continue drawing until all cards from the stock pile are used up.

  4. Wild Cards:

    • Wild cards can substitute for any card, either in the tableau or the foundation.
    • Wild cards can be used to help complete foundations when you're stuck. For example, if you're missing the 2 of Stars to complete a foundation, a wild card can be used in its place.
    • Be careful! Wild cards are powerful, but their use should be strategic as they can’t be placed in the tableau (only in the foundations).

Twist

  • Wild Card Strategy: Wild cards can be a game-changer. Use them wisely to complete foundations, but try to save them for when you really need them to finish a pile.
  • Empty Spaces: Whenever you move a card to a foundation, if a tableau space becomes empty, place a King in that space (or use a wild card to act as a King if no card is available).

Winning the Game

You win Octo-Solitaire when all 8 foundation piles are completed, each containing cards in order from Ace to King for each of the 8 suits.

  • Success: When you’ve successfully built all 8 suits in their foundation piles.
  • Failure: If no more moves are possible and you haven't completed the foundations, the game ends.

Strategy Tips

  1. Plan Ahead: Always look several moves ahead to make sure you’re not blocking yourself off with incorrect placements.
  2. Prioritize Foundations: If you can move cards to the foundation piles, do it as soon as possible, especially the lower-numbered cards. This will open up more space in the tableau.
  3. Use Wild Cards Sparingly: Wild cards are incredibly helpful, but using them too early or too often can limit your flexibility. Only use them when you're truly stuck.
  4. Empty Tableau Spaces: Be cautious with empty tableau spaces. Only place a King or a wild card there, as this is the only place a King can go.
  5. Keep Stock of Available Moves: Try to avoid drawing too many cards from the stock pile too soon. You’ll want to maximize your tableau moves before relying on the stock.

Octo-Solitaire adds an exciting new dimension to the classic Solitaire game by introducing 8 suits, strategic wild card use, and more complex tableau management. Enjoy a more challenging and dynamic solo card game experience!