Solitaire game

Abstract

An improved solitaire game having a plurality of game pieces. The game pieces have first, second, and third indicia formed thereon. The first, second, and third indicia are visible while playing the game by moving the game pieces on the game board. Each game piece may be fitted with one or more holes to receive pegs used to indicate the strategic status of each piece. The game may be played with or without a game board.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of playing a solitaire game comprising: 
 providing a set of game pieces, wherein the game pieces have first means for grouping the game pieces into at least four groups, and wherein the game pieces have second means for ordering the game pieces in each group, and wherein the game pieces have third means for grouping the game pieces into two other independent and interleaving groups;    providing a game board having a home area, a field area, a reserve area, and a stock area that each have a plurality of locations for placement of game pieces, wherein the field area and the reserve area intersect for transfer of game pieces from the reserve area to the field area;    distributing the game pieces into the reserve area, the field area, and the stock area so that each of the plurality of locations for placement of game pieces in the reserve area are occupied with game pieces;    moving the game pieces from the stock area and the reserve area to and within the field area wherein the game pieces are placed in the field area in groups pursuant to the third means for grouping and wherein the game pieces are placed in the field area so that the game pieces are ordered pursuant to the second means for ordering; and    moving the game pieces from the field area and the stock area to the home area wherein the game pieces are placed in the home area in groups pursuant to the first means for grouping and wherein the game pieces are placed in the home area so that the game pieces are ordered pursuant to the second means for ordering.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the groups have equal number of game pieces.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second means for ordering the game pieces in each group orders the game pieces in each group in an identical manner.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the groups of the third means have an equal number of game pieces.  
     
     
         5 . A solitaire game comprising: 
 a plurality of game pieces that each have a first means for grouping the game pieces into at least four groups, a second means for ordering the game pieces in each group, and a third means grouping the game pieces into two groups;    at least one strategy piece for use with the plurality of game pieces to indicate whether an individual game piece is needed; and    a game board having a home area, a field area, a reserve area, and a stock area that each have a plurality of locations for placement of game pieces.    
     
     
         6 . The solitaire game of  claim 5 , wherein each of the game pieces in the plurality of game pieces is adapted to receive at least one of the strategy pieces.  
     
     
         7 . The solitaire game of  claim 6 , wherein each of the game pieces in the plurality of game pieces has a plurality of recesses that are each adapted to at least partially receive one strategy piece.  
     
     
         8 . The solitaire game of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of recesses are oriented on each of the game pieces to indicate the relative need of the individual game pieces.  
     
     
         9 . The solitaire game of  claim 5 , wherein the strategy pieces have means for indicating the relative need of the game piece on which the strategy piece is placed.  
     
     
         10 . The solitaire game of  claim 9 , wherein the strategy pieces are pegs, and wherein the means for indicating relative need of the game piece are at least two colored regions on a surface of the peg.