The Deal

Using one deck, all cards are dealt to the layout. Each of the eight Columns are dealt 6 cards, and the remaining four cards are dealt one each to four of the eight Reserves spaces.

Foundations

Foundations are built UP and IN SUIT starting with an Ace and ending with a King. For example, a 2 of Clubs can be placed on an Ace of Clubs, then a 3 of Clubs, then a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, up to the K of Clubs. The same holds true for the other suits.

Columns

Columns are built DOWN in the SAME SUIT. For example, only a 6 of clubs may be placed on a 7 of clubs.

The topmost card in any Column is available for movement to either another Column, a Foundation, or a Reserve (one of the 8 spaces on the sides.)

Empty Columns may be filled with any card.

Reserves

There are Eight Reserves available for play that may hold 1 card each. Four Reserves start the game with a card already dealt to it. Four others start the game empty. An empty Reserve may hold any card. If a Reserve becomes empty, any available card may be played there.

Game Notes

SoliTaireNetwork.com's version of Eight Off supports a "Supermove" where you may move more than one card at a time as long as the move would have been possible by moving cards singly using Reserves or empty Columns to shuffle the cards around.

Similar games include: FreeCell, Penguin, Sea Towers