Faster end when the game isn't winnable

[mkss55442]

I've been playing Astraware Solitaire on my x51v since the game was introduced. Solitaire is my favorite game and Astraware's version is the only one I play anymore. That said, I'd like to see the program have some more smarts. I think the program knows when a given game becomes hopeless. It's frustrating to have to step thru the deck just to play one more card that has no bearing on the outcome. Another frustration is for example in Klondike when all the cards have been placed and the only move left is to move one stack to another. The move is a waste because the game is not winnable. Why can't the program end the current game as soon as it knows there is no chance of winning?
Thanks,
Mark

[PaulS]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the kind words about Astraware Solitaire, we're glad you like it :)

During development we had several iterations of the "End Game" situation, from a very draconian "I can see that 10 moves into the future this is bound to be un-winnable" to at one point forcing the user to decide the game was un-winnable.

The one problem we always faced was that the detection for when a game became truly stuck was never exactly perfect, especially in the more complex versions of the games. The detection we have now (as well as the "Keep playing anyway" option) is our fine balance between allowing players to complete games that the detection thinks are a lost cause, and not stringing players along too far.

I hope you continue to enjoy our Solitaire and thanks again for your comments,

Paul