DIE GROSSE PATIENCE
DIE GROSSE PATIENCE
Big Solitaire
Monday, February 16, 2009
Big Solitaire is one of the best solitaires that I know. A single game will take about an hour to solve. Many dealings are solvable with the right strategy. If you go too fast and do not plan ahead this game runs dead quickly. You must consider each move carefully and it matters which move you choose first. Several times during each game you will almost use up all of your 5 free cells and it is thrilling to find out wether the game can be won.
Cascades build down red black alternating (Klondike style) and foundations are built up in suit from the aces.
The game is played with 104 cards that are dealt at once. 99 cards go to the 11 cascades and 5 cards to the 5 free cells. To be able to move a card at all, one free cell needs to be cleared (in case this is not possible - start a new game). For every empty free-cell you can drag one more card as a group (at most 5).
The following screenshot shows a tough situation ... only the 9 of Diamonds on the 10 of Spades allows you to win the game (this prepares for the 8 of Spades and allows clearing column 8).
Your primary goals are: dig out aces and clear cascades for your kings. Build long series only on cascades that you have cleared first and that start with a king.
Hint: Do not follow hints blindly.
Hint: Use moves that the hint system does not show (move 6-5 from 8-7-6-5 to 8-7 if the first 7 can be dropped to the foundations).
Good Luck!