An interregnum is the period between the reigns of successive kings, popes, or governments. The name is a nod to the game’s unique layout, featuring a row of cards that dictate how the hand must evolve. The odds of winning are 1 in every 7 hands.
HOW TO DEAL Start with two fifty-two-card decks (104 cards total), and deal eight cards, face up, in a row. These are your “topper” cards. Leave an empty row below the toppers for your foundations, and below that deal another row of eight cards, face up. These are your tableau piles.
WINNING The goal is to build eight foundation piles, each with thirteen cards organized by ascending rank (suits and colors do not matter). This game allows continuous ranking.
The complication is that each foundation must start with a card one rank higher than the topper card above it. So a 7 of hearts topper, for example, requires the foundation below it to start with any eight and build from there in ascending rank. When the foundation reaches twelve cards, the topper card is added to the pile, making thirteen cards total, and the entire pile is set aside. The game ends when all eight foundations are set aside.
HOW TO PLAY Move foundation cards as they become available. You may not build or move cards among tableau piles; cards may be moved only from the tableau to the foundations. Once all moves are exhausted, deal eight new tableau cards from the stock. You are allowed one redeal.