Glossary
Author's note: These definitions are meant as a guideline only. See
individual game rules as any game has the right to redefine or modify
the rules to make it fun.
Base card
The first card dealt into a foundation pile. Other foundations usually
have to start with a card of this rank. See: Foundation
Build by alternate color
Building by placing a card on to another card of the opposite color is
permitted. Example: Placing a Diamond on a Spade is good, but placing a
Diamond on a Heart is not.
Build by any suit but own
Building by placing a card on to another card of any suit but the suit
of the original card is permitted. Example: Placing a Diamond on a
Heart is good, but placing a Heart on a Heart is not.
Build by color
Building by placing a card on to another card of the same color is
permitted. Example: Placing a Diamond on a Heart is good, but Placing a
Diamond on a Club is not.
Build regardless of suit
It's all good.
Build by suit
Building by placing a card on to another card of the same suit is
permitted. Example: Placing a Spade on a Spade is good, but placing a
Spade on a Club is not.
Build down
Building by placing a card of a lower rank on to a card of a higher
rank is permitted. Usually implies a difference of only one ranking
between the two cards. Example: Placing a 10 on a Jack is good, but
placing a 10 on a 9 is not.
Build down by *
Building by placing a card of a lower rank on to a card of a higher rank
by * is permitted. Example: If * is 2, placing a 10 on a Queen is good,
but placing a 10 on a Jack is not.
Build up
Building by placing a card of a higher rank on to a card of a lower
rank is permitted. Usually implies a difference of only one ranking
between the two cards. Example: Placing a Queen on a Jack is good, but
placing a Queen on a King is not.
Build up by *
Building by placing a card of a higher rank on to a card of a lower rank
by * is permitted. Example: If * is 2, placing a 10 on an 8 is good,
but placing a 10 on a 9 is not.
Build up or down
Building by placing a card on to a card of one higher or one lower rank
is permitted. Example: Placing a Jack on a Queen or a 10 is good, but
placing a 10 on a Queen is not.
Building
The ability to place a card (or group of cards) on another card. In
regards to rank, you can build up, build down, or build up/down by *.
In regards to suit/color, you can build by suit, build by color, build
by alternate color, build by any suit but own, or build regardless of
suit. Note that all games that build will follow two of these rules,
one from each list.
Deck
The set of cards used. Most games use a Standard deck, but games that
use a Double deck, a Joker deck, or a Stripped deck are not uncommon.
Double deck
A deck of cards consisting of two Standard decks making a total of 104 cards.
Fundação
If a game has a foundation, the game is usually won by placing all the
cards in the foundation pile(s).
Joker deck
A deck of cards consisting of a Standard deck and two jokers making a
total of 54 cards.
Pile
A designated area where cards can exist.
Rank
The value of the card. Numbered cards usually have the rank of the
associated number. Aces can either be high or low. If high, aces are
ranked 14. If low, aces are ranked as 1. J, Q, and K are usually
ranked 11, 12, and 13 respectively. However, some games may rank these
cards as 10. In such a case, a high ace might be ranked as 11.
Reserva
Cards in the reserve are usually available to play anywhere. Usually
cannot be built on.
Slot
See Pile.
Standard deck
A 52 card poker deck. There are four suits of thirteen cards each. Each
suit contains an Ace, 2 through 10, Jack, Queen, and King. These suits
are usually Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds. These suits can be
grouped into two colors, usually black and red. The Clubs and the
Spaces are black while the Hearts and the Diamonds are red. AisleRiot
allows the possibility of using different decks. In this case, the new
colors and/or suits are substituted into this paradigm.
Monte
The remainder of the deck after all the original cards have been
dealt and are usually kept faced down.
Suit
Four different kinds in a Standard deck. Usually Clubs, Spades, Hearts,
and Diamonds.
Tabuleiro
The playing field, where the main action occurs. Usually allows building.
Descarte
A stack of cards face up, usually next to the Stock. Top card usually in play.