The card game solitaire has a long and varied
history. Originally called "Patience," the game is still referred to as such
in many parts of Europe. Some historians note that solitaire games were first
played with tarot cards, leading them to also believe that solitaire probably
came before the multi-player card games that were once traditionally played.
During the fourteenth century, playing cards
were introduced in Italy and shortly thereafter became popular in Northern
Europe. The first-known rules for the game of solitaire were apparently first
recorded in the era of Napoleon; the ruler supposedly played patience in his
spare time. Also during this period in history, Tolstoy enjoyed solitaire and
wrote briefly about the game in his novel, War and Peace. Early origins
of solitaire seemed to generate from the French, and one of their most popular
games was called La Belle Lucie which is still played today and
available on several solitaire computer programs.
Several card games were invented during the
sixteenth century, when it was believed the ace became a high card instead of
low in the course of various games. It is also felt that solitaire was created
in this time period, although mention of the game did not appear in print
until the late nineteenth century. After the Civil War, Lady Adelaide Cadogan
is said to have written the first rule book for patience and solitaire games.
Shortly thereafter several other people wrote books about the game of
solitaire, including E.D. Chaney (Patience); and Annie B. Henshaw
(Amusements for Invalids). Years later, Dick & Fitzgerald published "Dickie's
Games of Patience" and another named Henry Jones wrote "Patience Games," to be
followed by Mary Whitmore Jones (no relation), who penned a series of
solitaire books at the turn of the twentieth century. One of the most
comprehensive and widely accepted solitaire rule books was written by Albert
Morehead and Geoffrey Mott-Smith and contains rules for more than two hundred
solitaire variations.
Bill Beers was a noted solitaire game inventor,
and he created Cribbage Solitaire while he was a patient at a mental
hospital. However, perhaps the most commonly known form of solitaire (called
either Klondike or Canfield), is said to have been
devised by a casino owner named Mr. Canfield in Saratoga. One deck of cards is
used, and these are laid out in four piles (foundations) and seven columns
also known as the tableau. The foundations have to be built up in card
suit from Ace to King (ex: a 2 can only be played on an ace). The tableau is
built down in alternating colors (ex: 10 can be played only on a Jack); the
top card of each pile is available for play on another tableau column, or the
foundations. A packed sequence or any portions of it can be moved to
another tableau column. Empty spaces in the seven-column layout can only be
filled with a King or a King-sequence. The stock pile contains the remaining
cards in the deck, and can be turned out three at a time or one at a time,
depending on preference; and are meant to be played to the tableau or the
foundations wherever appropriate. The waste pile is for cards that cannot
be played on either the tableau or foundations, and can be turned over and
re-used in the game. The object of the game is to move all cards to the
foundations in suit order.
There have been many variations of the original
solitaire game over the years. Today, there are more than one thousand
different solitaire alternatives. With the advent of computer solitaire such
as the simple Microsoft variants, FreeCell and Spider-type games have
become increasingly popular. Russian Solitaire is one of the
more difficult solitaire variations to win, although it has become a favorite
of mine in recent years. The object of the game is to move all the cards to
the foundations, but the game starts with four foundations built
up in suit from Ace to King, with seven tableau piles set out below the
foundations. Cards can be moved regardless of any sequence, and empty spaces
can only be filled by Kings or a King-sequence. At the beginning of the game,
one card is dealt to the first tableau pile, two the second pile, three to the
third, and so on. The top card always remains face-up, and the additional four
face cards are dealt to the other piles. Any card that is face-up in the
tableau can be built on another, with the cards covering it moved as well.
When a card that is face-down is uncovered, it is automatically turned face-up
and available for play.
Note:
Russian Solitaire is a variation of Yukon; however, it is more
challenging as the tableau is built down in suit rather than by alternate
color. Similar games include Ace of Hearts, Alaska, Aunt Mary, Australian
Patience, Cornelius, Darwin, Geoffrey, Griffon, Mississippi, Outback, Queenie,
Raw Prawn, Russian Cell, Russian Point, Russian Solitaire Two Deck, Russian
Solitaire Three Deck, Ukrainian Solitaire, Yukon, Yukon Kings, Yukon Spider,
Yukon Two-Deck, and Yukon Three-Deck.
Another fun and somewhat easier
solitaire-style game is Pyramid. The object of the game is to
discard all cards in pairs totaling thirteen regardless of suit (and
uncovered). Valid pairs for use in the game are:
Ace and Queen (13)
Two and Jack (13)
Three and Ten (13)
Four and Nine (13)
Five and Eight (13)
Six and Seven (13)
Jacks are worth eleven points, while Queens
equal twelve points. Kings are worth thirteen points and can be discarded
singularly. Pairs can be made from the stock card and an exposed Pyramid cad,
or two exposed Pyramid cards. The stock pile remains separate but can be
matched with valid cards. Cards are dealt one at a time from the stock pile,
and typically three deals are allowed before having to begin a new game. The
layout of the Pyramid game is called such because the cards are positioned to
resemble a pyramid, overlapping when necessary, and only uncovered cards can
be matched with another to equal thirteen points. Variations of the Pyramid
game include Cheops, Double Pyramid, Giza, Joker Pyramid, Pharaohs, Pyramid
Easy-Couple, Pyramid Golf, Pyramid Seven, Pyramid�s Stones and Triangle.
Personal Notes:
I am a computer-solitaire fanatic. I didn't
learn how to play the game until about five years ago but I've been hooked
ever since. Though I prefer the computer variety, I still like to play
solitaire with a normal deck of cards when the mood strikes. I will not play
the online versions of solitaire with the web unknown - the game was called
solitaire for a reason: to be played and enjoyed alone.
My first experience with computer solitaire was
with the standard "Klondike" version issued on most computers running Windows.
I was soon bored with this and went looking on the Internet for more. The
first program I downloaded was
123 Free Solitaire (an offshoot of SolSuite), and it was then I
learned different variations of the game. Little did I know at the time that
there were hundreds more to follow. After 123 Free Solitaire, I opted
for the "paid" version of the program ($24.95), which turned out to be
SolSuite. Initially, there were more than two hundred variations of
solitaire within the computer program. Over the years this has increased, of
course, and now there are close to five hundred games. There are also options
to customize each game with background choices, card backs and audio.
Another collection I tried early on was
Hardwood Solitaire
(118 games, $24.95). This is also another favorite,
mainly because of the sound and visual effects. The setting for the various
games is medieval, and the music is dreamy and almost mystic. In 2002,
Hardwood Solitaire was completely re-hauled and more than one hundred new
games were added. If possible, the visual effects are even more stunning than
before. The opening of the program depicts a shimmering waterfall, and you can
set other sound effects to preference (the rainfall option is divine).
Another well-done and large program is
Pretty Good Solitaire
(570 games, $24.95). From Goodsol Development,
the assortment of games and customizable features make it worth the price.
Another Goodsol program called
Absolute Yukon ($15) is just as exceptional. This collection of twelve
solitaire variations was created in the Yukon and Russian genre; one of
the more enjoyable games is "Russian Point" which is similar to Russian Solitaire. Goodsol also offers several other programs, including Aces & Kings, Action
Solitaire (timed rounds), FreeCell Plus, FreeCell Wizard, Poker
Solitaire Pack, Pretty Good Mahjongg, Solitaire Wizard, Spider Wizard, 21
Solitaire and Windows 3.1 Games.
For a good game and a laugh, try Pete Wiseman's
Solitaire City
(8 games, $18.95); and the
BVS Solitaire Collection (370 games, $19.95) is a nice program of
Russian-based solitaires that is easy to operate without any spectacular
special effects. Single-game programs that remain tried and true although
sometimes difficult to win are
Chinese Solitaire ($10, but also often included in the multi-game
programs as well); and
Midnight Sunitaire which can be had either as "shareware" or for
free, depending on where you find it.
Mike's Cards (166 games, $25) is
also another personal favorite, not only because the program is fun but
because I happen to know the designer, Mike Sedore. My parents are also
addicted to Mike's Cards and when they come and visit me in Washington, Mum
takes my new computer while Dad takes my old one and they play for
long stretches of time. I often accuse them of driving nine hundred miles just
to play solitaire games, although they have
Mike's Cards on their computer at
home.
Many of the aforementioned solitaire programs
contain lush backgrounds, sound effects and selections of artistic card deck
styles and backs; a few of the programs also have customizable features.
More Games & Honorable Mentions:
Other good programs include
Idiot's Delight
($10); Loch Ness Solitaire
($7); and
Solitaire Plus! (30 games, $15). On the "other side" of solitaire, I
enjoy playing Hardwood Hearts
($24.95), Hardwood Spades ($24.95, more medieval caricatures); and
Yahtzee (free and almost as fun as the actual board game).
Out of all the solitaire variations I've tried
and played continuously, the best multi-game program remains
SolSuite. They update monthly with new games
and features, and I find the yearly
upgrade fee of $14 easy to swallow - its well worth the price tag, and then
some. To date, my preferred variations include Double Klondike, Golf, King
of Scotland, Klondike (one-deck), Klondike Three Decks, Precedence,
Pyramid and all variations of Russian Solitaire.
Finding time on your hands doesn�t necessarily
mean hitting the Internet or plopping in front of the television. Instead,
try your hand at a solitaire game and you will inevitably find yourself
hooked. The game, in whatever form you choose, requires skill and concentrated
thought process in most cases and will most likely leave you coming back for
more.
Credits & References:
House of Cards
Solitaire Central
Cards image:
SolSuite
Klondike and Pyramid
screenshots:
Goodsol
Development
Russian Solitaire
screenshot:
Absolute
Yukon
Grand Clock screenshot:
Hardwood Solitaire
Portions of this article was
derived from Deborah O'Toole's web log,
Irish
Eyes.
This article is
for entertainment
purposes only and
expresses the sole
opinions and
observations of
the author. This
article is not
meant to be a
historical essay
of solitaire
(or the computer renditions thereof),
but rather a short
piece about the
variations of the
popular card game.
(C)2003
Deborah O'Toole
For
Ambermont Magazine
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