How to play SOLATRO
Heads up!
The original instructions can be found here. Created by techdweeb. I, the website creator, just inserted them here for convenience; but make sure to check out the original from techdweeb.
Everyone loves that popular addictive computer card game, and EVERYONE loves solitaire (obviously), so here's a cheeky way to play a SOLO version of that addictive computer card game with just a regular deck of cards, all by yourself on a Friday night!
Goal
Survive as many rounds as possible by reaching the score target for each round. Targets go up each round, and you use poker hands to earn points toward that target.
Setup
- Use a standard 54-card deck (including 2 Jokers).
- Shuffle the deck.
Round Structure
- Round 1 Target: 25 points
- Each new round: target increases by +25 points (Round 2 = 50, Round 3 = 75, etc.).
- Start the round by drawing 8 cards into your hand (plus any Extra Card tokens you own).
- You get 3 plays per round.
- You also get 3 discard chances per round, and may discard 1-5 cards each time. Draw back to your full hand size.
- Play bonus items you've collected during the round.
- After the round is done, shuffle discards back into the deck.
Playing Cards
- On each play, choose up to 5 cards to make a poker hand and record your score (see Hand Scores chart)
- Cards played are set aside until the next round.
- After 3 plays, total your scores.
- If you meet or beat the round target, you advance. If not, and you have no shield token, you DIE!
Hand Scores
| Hand Type | Points |
|---|---|
| High Card | 5 |
| Pair | 10 |
| Two Pair | 20 |
| Three of a Kind | 30 |
| Straight | 40 |
| Flush | 50 |
| Full House | 60 |
| Four of a Kind | 100 |
| Straight Flush | 125 |
| Royal Flush | 150 |
Jokers
- Jokers are wildcards.
- If drawn, bank it for later and draw a replacement.
- A banked Joker can be added to any future play as a wildcard. When used, it is discarded.
- If you have a banked joker and another shows up, you lose BOTH! Joke's on you DWEEB!
Bonus Points
- After the round any EXCESS points (beyond the round target) can be spent at the bonus shoppe.
- You can only own 1 of each bonus at a time.
- Points don't last between rounds.
Bonus Shop
| Token | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Card | 10 | +1 card in your hand this round. |
| Extra Discard | 25 | +1 discard opportunity on this round. |
| Pocket Points | 50 | Add 25 points to your score this round. |
| Extra Hand | 75 | Play one extra hand this round. |
| Double Score | 100 | Double the points from your next play. |
| Shield | 150 | Ignore one failed round (advance anyway). |
Bonus abilities can be used at any time during a round.
Losing
- The game ends when you fail to meet the round's target and have no Shield token.
- Your score is the last round number you reached.
Metagame
Think you're good, DO YA? Try to hit these milestones!
| Rank | Rounds Survived |
|---|---|
| Cat Food | 3 |
| Little Dweeb | 5 |
| Official Dweeb | 7 |
| Ultra Mega Uber Giga-Dweeb | 10+ |