Layout Terms
The layout describes the piles of cards in use during the game, and the restrictions on these piles. There are a number of different kinds of piles which have become standard across a number of games.
| Term | Alternate terms | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Squared | This means that the cards in the pile are directly on top of one another | |
| Fanned | This means that the cards in the pile are overlapping, but that part of each card can be seen. They can be fanned left, right, up, or down. Fanned down is the most common option; this means that the card on the top of the pile is closest to the player. | |
| Stock | See Stock in the Glossary of card terms. Typically squared and face-down. These can be turned over into the waste, usually one-by-one, but sometimes in groups of two or three (depending on individual game rules), whenever the player wishes. | |
| Waste | Wastepile, Waste Heap, Discard | The area where the cards from the stock go when they are brought into play. The following are typically true:
|
| Foundation | Typically squared and face-up. Most solitaire games feature foundation piles (often referred to as foundations) built on foundation cards (usually the Ace). The aim of these games is to clear the tableaux and move all the cards to the foundation piles. Foundation piles are typically built from the foundation card by suit until the card at the other end of the sequence is reached (if the foundation card is the Ace, this is the King); however, some games have different rules. Usually only thirteen cards are allowed in each foundation. The number of foundations can usually be found by multiplying the number of suits by the number of decks involved in the game. | |
| Tableau | Layout (in Card Games for One; a different use than in this article);
Depot |
Typically fanned downwards. The tableau consists of a number of tableau piles of cards. Cards can be moved from one pile or area to another, under varying rules. Some allow stacks of cards that 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. |
Read more about this topic: Glossary Of Solitaire Terms
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