Streets and Alleys (2 player card game)

“Streets and Alleys,” also known as “Gaps” or “Lane,” is a solitaire card game typically played by one player, but it can be adapted for two players with some adjustments. Here’s how to play:

Setup:

1. Use a standard 52-card deck. Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
2. Deal 10 cards face-up in two rows of 5 cards each, forming the “streets” and “alleys” of the game.

Gameplay:

1. Player 1 starts the game by examining the layout of cards and looking for opportunities to move cards between the streets and alleys.
2. Player 1 can move any card from the end of a street to an empty space in the alleys, or vice versa. Cards can only be moved if they are one rank higher or lower than the card they are being moved onto.
3. Once Player 1 has made as many moves as possible, they draw a card from the stockpile to replace any empty spaces in the layout.
4. Player 2 then takes their turn, following the same rules as Player 1.
5. The game continues with players taking turns moving cards and drawing from the stockpile until neither player can make any more moves.
6. The game ends when both players are unable to make any more moves or when the stockpile is empty and no more moves can be made.

Scoring:

• In Streets and Alleys, the goal is to create as many complete sequences of 13 cards as possible.
• Each complete sequence of 13 cards earns the player 100 points.
• Additionally, players earn points for each card they successfully move between the streets and alleys. The number of points earned depends on the number of moves made.
• The player with the highest total score at the end of the game wins.

Adaptation for 2 Players:

• In the two-player version, each player takes turns making moves and drawing from the stockpile, just as in the standard game.
• Players can communicate and strategize about their moves but must ultimately make their own decisions on how to progress.
• To accommodate the competitive aspect of playing against another player, you can keep track of each player’s score after each round and play multiple rounds to determine the overall winner.

Summary: In this adapted version of Streets and Alleys, tailored for a 2-player setting, players compete to create sequences of cards and earn points. By adjusting the gameplay and scoring system, Streets and Alleys becomes an engaging 2 player card game of strategy and skill, despite its usual design for solo play.