Welcome to Karl's calculation program, solitaire online. Instructions are presented below.
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Unlike most games of solitaire, this one entails considerable strategy. In other words, it is more skill than luck. I assume you are familiar with the rules for Calculation. If not, you can find them in a book of solitaire games or via Google, or you can view the rules and tips on how to win.
The standard version uses 4 stacks, but I can win most of the time with 3. Such a win is worth 4 points rather than 1, being 4 times as difficult. Restrict yourself to 3 stacks if you can, or 2 stacks for 64 points.
Through the use of cookies I will keep track of your games and report your average score. You receive -1 for each loss, 1 for a win using 4 stacks that ends in all kings, 4 for a win using 3 stacks, 16 for 3 stacks and kings at the end, 64 for 2 stacks, and so on geometrically. A game is counted after 20 moves, so don't just leave the page if things aren't going well. If you don't visit this site for 5 years your score will reset. Of course you can reset the score yourself by clearing cookies.
The number of stacks can be changed at any time, though you can't remove a stack that is in use, or that you have used previously. If the game is going south, add another stack. You can have from 2 to 6 stacks. When you return to play another game, I will remember the number of stacks, along with other game configurations (see below).
If you have nothing left but kings, or kings and obvious end cards, wherein the path to win is clear, I will display those moves and jump straight to the end. This is a time-saver, and I hope not too confusing. You can disable this feature by turning AutoComplete off. Select On with Deck to incorporate the last few cards in the deck, if the path to win is clear.
The basic version uses seed cards of ace 2 3 4; a more advanced player may wish to draw 4 seed cards at random. They will be distinct, and not kings of course. When you start each game you will have the choice: ace 2 3 4 or random.
Cards on the top of the play piles, or on the top of the stacks, are presented as emojis, i.e. the images of the playing cards. These look like the cards you know, making the game a bit more intuitive. If your assistive technology does not read these emojis well, check the "Cards by Name" box on the options line and I will use the name of the card instead of its picture.
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This game is edbrowse friendly