Q: How do you play double solitaire where you only use four cards to begin with instead of seven? Do you use two decks of cards or only one?

A: While looking into this, I discovered there are many different kinds of solitaire (formally named Klondike patience) games as well as a couple different versions of double.

There is a version of double solitaire where two players use two decks of cards and basically race each other.

I did find a description of how to play the four-card version of double solitaire.

Have you ever tried to write out instructions to a card game? It's difficult, so I lifted most of the following of a Web site. I hope it makes sense.

Step 1

Double solitaire play makes use of a typical deck of 52 playing cards. The premise is that one is somewhat familiar with play for the typical game solitaire, which involves playing cards of opposite color in order from King down to two, and conversely from ace (as the number one) up to king.

The object of the game is to be the first player to dispose of all cards by playing them onto the playing field. Initially, the central playing field consists of four cards, with aces being played perpendicular to the side to form a secondary playing field.

Step 2

Shuffle cards several times. Deal 24 cards in a single stack face down to each player, leaving four cards not dealt.

Array these remaining four cards face up between the two players to form the central playing field.

Step 3

First player begins play by looking at the array to determine if any cards can be played.

Let us say the ace of hearts has been dealt onto the original central playing field, then player one moves the ace of hearts onto the aces field (to the side of the central playing field), leaving a space on the central playing field.

Contrary to the rules of regular solitaire (which stipulate that only a king can be played into a space) any card may be played into a space. In this instance, no card has been turned yet, so the first card turned by player one will be played, if not in a legal play onto another card, into the empty space.

Legal play consists of playing a card of opposite color onto the next highest card.

Suit does not matter when playing opposite colors onto the central playing field; however, when playing onto the aces field, suits must match. For example, two of clubs onto the ace of clubs.

Step 4

Play continues with player one turning over cards until a card is turned that will not play anywhere.

Step 5

Play continues with each player making plays as possible, then play passes to the next player.

Step 6

The game is completed when one player has successfully played all his or her cards onto the playing field to win the game.

All cards need not be played onto the aces field.

Step 7

A variation on the rules allows for play to be made onto your opponent's discard stack. For example, your opponent has a queen of diamonds discarded. You then turn over a jack of clubs. You can play the black jack onto your opponent's red queen, thus adding to his number of cards.

Decide beforehand on this option, as well as whether play onto an opponent's discard stack can be made either up or down. For example, whether the higher red queen can be played onto a black jack.

This can backfire if you reach a point where a red queen is showing on your discard stack and your opponent turns over a black king.

Eric Norris is the adult department librarian at the Hays Public Library. "Ask Eric" questions can be mailed to 1205 Main, Hays, KS, 67601, submitted through www.hayspublib.org at the "Ask Eric" link or e-mailed to enorris@hayspublib.org.