Transatlantic Solitaire Blitz Guinness World Record Attempt

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Ready Up’s very own Laura Rich is going to be participating in a transatlantic, Solitaire Blitz, Guinness World Record attempt this month. On June 26th – 27th, Laura will be playing PopCap’s highly addictive Solitaire Blitz for a blistering 30 hours in support of Charity: Water, a worthy cause which helps provide clean, safe drinking water to developing nations. PopCap is pledging £108 per hour, per player, in the World Record attempt but anybody can pledge by simply going to the Charity Marathon Facebook page and hitting the pledge button at the top. The minimum pledge is 6p an hour. Six pence! I can’t even make a Space Raiders crisp joke here because you can’t even afford a pack of those for that price. Plus, every single penny will go to Charity: Water. No fees, no middleman, every pledge will help towards giving everybody in the world fresh, clean water.

Laura’s World Record attempt will all be happening in London’s Sea Life Aquarium, right in front of the shark tank, where visitors are welcome to come and gawk at her at any point while the Aquarium remains open (10am-6pm). PopCap have taken it one step further however by having duel records taking place at once, with one happening in New York and the other in London simultaneously, with Laura manning the London post as Kathleen Henkel will be New York side.

The official record will be for the ‘Longest Videogames Marathon Playing a Card Game’. Which, to my knowledge, will bring Ready Up’s roster total up to three Guinness World Records. We got Laura to answer a few of our questions in anticipation for what is sure to be a non-stop, action packed 30 hours of Solitaire:

First off, good luck on your attempt, what was your first reaction when you found out you were going for the World Record?

“I laughed. Aaaand I probably pulled a stupid face as I thought ‘There is no way can I do that’. I mean, it’s thirty hours. That’s actually insane. I’m not a youngster anymore; I can’t go without sleep. I’ll collapse, or bite someone’s head off! That lasted for a good ten minutes before I started to consider the possibility of me actually being able to complete this challenge. I spoke to Kirsten about my doubts, as she’s a pro at this kind of thing, and it really helped boost my confidence. Now I can’t wait.”

Even better that it’s for a worthy cause! Are you excited to be doing all this to benefit charity: water?

“I’m more than excited; I’m super proud. Charities that help provide clean drinking water to people that potentially have to choose between dehydration or disease are so important. Many of us in this world take water for granted, because we can. The biggest issue for us in developed countries are whether to drink tap or bottled water. Life sustaining water falls from the sky and we complain about it. Clean water is not a luxury, it’s a necessity, and the fact that people are dying because they can’t get enough is heart-breaking. Being able to help this way means a lot to me.”

Have you always been a big fan of Solitaire?

“Yes. Ever since I was a kid. I thought I was so cool when my mum taught me how to play, because I saw cards as a ‘grown up’ game. It’s installed on every PC I’ve ever owned or used. I bet everyone’s sat on their work, college or school computer playing Solitaire when they should have been getting on with something else. I like Solitaire Blitz a lot because I have to think fast, and it’s so satisfying getting long runs, and also because I’m at the top of my Facebook friends leaderboard.”