sigh - you guys are so incredibly smart - yes - after I finally figured out how to make it to 118 - and read the clues and tried 52 more times I did make it to 117 - and it was obvious. Hamlette's 8 clue was key for me

Yowza. You are right, it was so obvious I couldn't see it! Fun puzzle...thanks to all of you, especially Fizz and Mom for the excellent hints. I kept fussing with the 8 and missed the point. As usual.

Oops, that is I thought I was cleverly leaving the 3 down for the 2 but bringing the 3 down does save a move, the last move is a 3 as well. It's going to seem obvious when you figure it out. Thanks Mom and Davidimom for giving me another game for today (July 15th).

I was leaving the 3 for the

Sorry about that Mom, I was trying to follow your clues and oops 117, and I don't know how!!!!

Great Job Mom you do me proud. Some great figuring.

thanks mom! clever way to solve the 8 problem!

I did it differently; K, K, K in that order (K straight up). I brought down the 8, left the 8 till it played up, brought down the 3 for the 2, left the 4 down for the 3, and of course 9 first.

Yes, well done mom! I'm still missing something but to get to 119 don't bring down 8 or J. K first, K second, K third. K goes straight over at the end as does Q J, Q, 10 and 8.

well done Mom