Four Captives Solitaire

Goal

Move all cards to the four Foundation piles from Ace to King in the same suit.

The Deal

Using one deck, 16 cards are placed face up in the Reserve area with the four Aces buried within it.

5 Columns are dealt an increasing number of cards starting with 1 card in the first Column and up to 5 cards in the 5th Column. All cards are dealt to Columns face down except the last card in each Column.

The remaining 21 cards remain in the Stock.

Foundations

Foundations are built UP and IN SUIT starting with an Ace and ending with a King. For example, a 2 of Clubs can be placed on an Ace of Clubs, then a 3 of Clubs, then a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, up to the K of Clubs. The same holds true for the other suits.

Columns

Columns are built DOWN in ANY SUIT. For example, any 6 may be placed on any 7.

All face up cards in any Column are available for movement to another Column as long as the above build rule is followed. For example, a Q, J, 10 can all be moved to a King.

The topmost card in any Column is NOT available for play to another Column unless it is the only face up card in a Column.

Empty Columns may be filled with any card or cards that may be validly moved.

Reserve

The game starts with 16 cards dealt to the Reserve including all four Aces. Only cards that are completely uncovered may be moved to a Column or a Foundation.

Stock

Cards from the Stock are flipped one at a time to the Discard Pile. No redeals are allowed.

Discard Pile

Only the top card of the Discard Pile may be played to a Column or a Foundation. When a card from the Discard Pile is played then the new top card can also be played.

Game Notes

Four Captives is a Solitaire Network original and was created by Warren Schwader.