Solitaire terminology

There are a number of common features in many solitaire (patience) games, such as 'building down' and the 'foundations' and 'tableau', used to simplify the description of new games. Here is a partial list.

Game Layout

Deck

A pile of cards, face down, which are left over after setting up the other layout areas. These can be turned over into the waste, usually one-by-one, but sometimes in groups of two or three, when the player wishes.

Waste

The area where the cards from the deck go when they are brought into play. Only cards from the deck can be played to the waste. Only the topmost card is available for play.

Foundations

Most solitaire games feature foundations - the aim of these games is to clear the tableau and move all the cards to the foundations. Usually they are built up by suit from Ace to King, but some games have different rules. Usually only thirteen cards are allowed in each foundation.

Tableau

This consists of a number of piles of cards where cards can be moved from one area to another, under varying rules. Some allow stacks of cards which match the building requirements to be moved, others only allow the top card to be moved, yet others allow any stack to be moved.

Reserve

A group or pile(s) of cards where building is usually not permitted. These cards are dealt out at the beginning, and used, commonly one card at a time, during the play.

Cells

Common to 'FreeCell' type games, cells allow only one card to be placed in them. Any card can be put in a cell. These act as maneuvering space.

Building

These terms are usually combined in game explainations. For instance, a game may describe "building up in sequence by suit".

Building up

Cards can only be placed on lower value cards

Building down

Cards can only be placed on higher value cards

In sequence

Cards can only be placed on the card one higher or lower (usually one or the other, not both).

In multiples

Cards can only be places on the card two, three or four higher or lower: a Jack is considered as an eleven, a Queen as a twelve and a King as a thirteen. Modular arithmetic is often applied - eg: an Ace can be placed on a Queen if building up by two is required.

By suit

Cards can only be placed on a card of the same suit

By color

Cards can only be placed on a card of the same color (Diamonds and Hearts are considered Red, Spades and Clubs are Black).

By alternating colors

Cards can only be placed on a card of the opposite colour

By any other suit

Cards can not be placed on a card of the same suit.