Arrange the cards into four full suits by moving cards between the four free spaces.
>Topic<General comments
This is a very popular game, almost as common as Klondike. It requires some searching for the best moves, but isn't too complex. You won't win it too often.
>Topic<Rules
All cards are delt in four rows.
The aces are removed, to create four free spaces.
A card may be moved to a free space if it is the same suit and one step above the card to the left of the hole. Any 2 may be played on a hole in the leftmost column.
You may re-deal twice by double-clicking the "next round" button. When you do, all cards that are not in suit from 2 and up are removed, shuffled, and delt again.
You win if you can arrange the cards to four full suits.
>Topic<Strategy
A hole after a king can not be used, so they must be avoided at all cost. If you do get a hole after a king, try to get rid of it by moving the king.
>Topic<Source
I learned this game as a kid. It is described in the book "Lägga patiens" as "Aunt Amalia" ("Tant Amalia" in swedish). I use the name Montana as that seems to be the usual name in computer game implementations, including Eric Snider's version. Another Mac implementation is "Solitaire Of Champions" by Thomas Reed.
>Topic<Related games
I wouldn't consider any other game closely related to Montana.
