Berliner

Berliner is one of the simpler patience games and succeeds relatively often. The layout itself is already special.

# Layout

Before shuffling the cards, the four Aces are removed and placed in a horizontal row. Then the remaining cards are shuffled and laid out in eight overlapping columns. The following must be observed: One vertical column after another is dealt with six cards each. If a subsequent card is already there, it can be played up immediately and still counts. For example, if the 2 comes as the third card in the first column, it is placed directly on the Ace and the vertical column then has one fewer card. This results in a completely different tableau with columns of different lengths for each game. It can happen that a vertical column consists of only two cards if four others could be played up.

# Objective

The goal of Berliner is to build up in ascending order in the same suit on the four Aces removed at the beginning.

# Gameplay

Moving is permitted in the same suit and in descending order with alternating colors, as in many other patience games. Sequences may only be moved in the same suit. Therefore, empty columns are very important, where any card or sequence may be placed. Through skillful moving, you can gradually clear and play up all cards. In most cases, Berliner succeeds. However, it can also happen that it doesn’t work.

# Summary

• Remove Aces and place them in a row
• Lay out eight vertical columns with six cards each, observing the following: Subsequent cards can be played up immediately and count
• Cards may be moved with alternating colors or in the same suit, same-suit sequences may also be moved
• Empty columns are important, through them alternating-color sequences can be transformed into same-suit sequences
• Objective: ascending build in the same suit from Ace to King