I can't say I don't have time but I am sooooo disorganised!
I can't say I don't have time but I am sooooo disorganised!
Member since:08.12.2005
Reviews:99
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About the Game
Here is a classic game that has been around for years & is very well known. Like the more recent game, Spider Solitaire, it is available with most Microsoft Windows Packages. The game consists of one pack of cards, distributed partly in facedown stacks with the top card turned over & the remainder in a pile, which you can browse through as the game progresses. The aim is simply to sort all the cards into their suits in 4 piles (which are in the top right-hand corner of the window) from Ace up to King.
There are actually different forms that the game can take. It can be timed & it is also possible to keep a score during the game. The player can choose to browse through the cards one at a time, or in "draw three" mode, which is harder because you can only access the top card of every three. There is also a 'Vegas' mode, where players play for money (albeit not real money thank goodness!), but
I will explain more about this later.
How to Play – Standard Game
To start a new game, click ‘Game’-‘Deal’.
If it is being used, the timer starts when the first move is made. First look at the top cards of the stack. A card can be moved onto a card of the next high value of the opposite colour. So a red 5 may be placed on a black 6, & so on. The King is the highest value. When a card is moved, the card underneath may be turned over, & this will score you 5 points for each card turned over. Once a stacked is cleared completely, leaving a blank space, a King may be placed there, but no other card.
Cards can be placed onto the suit pile beginning with the lowest value – Ace – then progressing in ascending order up to King. 10 points is scored each time a card is placed on the suit pile. The Aces & 2s should go straight onto the suit piles, but as the game goes on, remember you may still need some cards to hold cards of lower value.
If no more moves can be made with the stacks (or at any time, if you like) you can click on the other pile of cards to reveal the top card. You can drag this down & place it on another card in the same manner as the stack cards, i.e. on a card of the next value & opposite colour. If it is the next card in the suit pile you can also put it straight there. Click the pile to reveal the next card, & so on. You do not have to move a card from the pile, but when you reach the end of the pile & want to start again, you will forfeit 100 points (or all your points if your score is still below 100). This does not happen in “draw three” mode as it would probably be impossible to get a decent score – I think most “draw three” games are also impossible to win!
The game continues until all the cards are placed in the suit piles (or you give up!) & the score will then be totalled, with a bonus depending on how long you took. Your scores can be recorded to look at & compare later.
Vegas Solitaire
Go to ‘Game’-‘Options’ to change the type of game you are playing. Change the selected ‘Standard’ to select ‘Vegas’. You can also choose to have a cumulative score, where the money you win or lose in each game is transferred into the next game. Remember, as the score goes further down, it becomes harder & harder to pick it back up, & games can drag on for ages, so set yourself a limit if you are using this function!
You start with -$52, which means you pay a dollar for each card. You then earn $5 for each card you place on the suit pile, but nothing for turning cards over. Each game gives you only one chance to go through the top pile of cards, so once you reach the end & run out of moves, you have to deal again. With cumulative scoring this will mean you pay out another $52 from whatever you have, so if you scored nothing, you would then be $104 in debt, & so on. Your main aim will be to try to get a positive sum of money, & then to see how much you can win. This game is a lot like real gambling in that it can really hook you in. I once got myself over $1000 dollars in debt, which taught me that gambling is really not my thing & I am very glad this was not real money!
Sum-up & My Opinion
So basically this is a game mostly of strategy & skill that can only be played by one person. It is great for filling up spare time or keeping yourself busy at work (hehe) but as you can find yourself playing one game after another, remember to stop & look at the time every now & then. Being a solo card game, you obviously cannot expect the same amount of fun as you would if you were playing opponents, where you can win & lose or fight over the rules. Despite this, it is still very popular & often we play it purely out of habit or boredom. I find that I do not play this game as often as other PCcard games, but when I do, I end up spending hours on it. Sometimes I just think ‘I fancy a game of Solitaire now’ & there you go. So yes, it is enjoyable but not exactly a wow game.
Please comment & let me know if I missed any details or this does not make sense anywhere as it is tricky to explain! Thanks.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Exercising the brain, easy to follow, gives relaxations after days heavy work. Disadvantages: Hard to complete the game and may make you play few more times.
asomormridul 07.07.2008 (07.07.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Solitaire
Advantages: It passes the time, it's a good version of a classic game Disadvantages: It lacks a high score table, varied decks, and is a bit boring really!
Excelle 16.07.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Solitaire
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