OBJECTIVE OF KING ALBERT: Build four foundation piles by suit from Ace to King
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1 player
NUMBER OF CARDS: 52 card deck
RANK OF CARDS: (low) Ace – King (high)
TYPE OF GAME: Solitaire
AUDIENCE: Adults
INTRODUCTION OF KING ALBERT
King Albert is a solitaire game in the same vein as the extremely common Klondike. The majority of the cards are dealt to form a columnal tableau. Rather than have a draw and waste pile, the remaining cards are distributed in a row below the tableau.
Players are trying to move cards into their proper foundations according to suit.
THE CARDS & THE DEAL
King Albert utilizes a standard 52 card French deck. Shuffle the deck thoroughly and prepare to build the tableau.
The cards are dealt out face up to form nine columns. The first column has one card, the second has two, and so on. The cards should be layered in such a way that you can see their rank and suit.
The final seven cards are placed face up in a row somewhere out of the way of the tableau. These cards form the reserve
THE PLAY
Once the cards are dealt, you may begin moving cards around the tableau. Any exposed cards on the tableau may be moved one at a time. Columns must be built in a descending order by rank. The cards must also alternate in color. For example, if the topmost card of the pile is a 9 of spades, the only two cards that can be placed upon it are the 8’s of hearts and diamonds.
Once an Ace is exposed, it may be moved in order to begin the foundation pile for that card’s suit. Foundations are built in ascending order according to suit. For example, if the foundation begins with the Ace of spades, the next card that can be placed on top of it is the 2 of spades. The topmost cards of foundation piles may be moved back to the tableau if it is needed.
The seven cards in the reserve may be moved to the tableau, but that card cannot be replaced. Once the reserve spots have been emptied, they stay empty.
WINNING
A player wins the game of King Albert once they have created four foundations. Each foundation begins with an Ace and are built in ascending order by suit up to the King.
- TRIPLE SNAKES - February 15, 2021