Solitaire
Deal the deck, build the sequences, clear every suit to the foundations.
Why you will love it
About Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is the most popular version of the classic card game Solitaire. Also known simply as "Solitaire," it became widely known through Microsoft Windows and has entertained millions of players worldwide for decades.
Learn Solitaire in a minute
Klondike Solitaire is the timeless single-player card game where you sort a shuffled deck into four tidy foundations. Easy to pick up, deeply satisfying to finish, and here it is completely free and ad-free, right in your browser.
How Klondike works
Klondike is played with a single deck across the tableau, the stock, and four foundations. A handful of rules govern every move, from where a card can go to how you win.
- Empty Columns: Only Kings can be placed on empty tableau columns
- Tableau Order: Cards in tableau must be placed in descending order with alternating colors
- Foundation Start: Only Aces can start foundation piles
- Foundation Building: Foundation piles must be built up in suit from Ace to King
- Sequence Moving: You can move sequences of properly ordered cards together
- Auto-Move: Double-click cards to auto-move to foundations when possible
Winning strategies and tips
A few good habits dramatically raise your win rate. Start with the basics, then layer in the advanced tactics once they feel natural.
Beginner Strategies:
- Expose Hidden Cards: Always prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards in the tableau. These are the key to unlocking the game.
- Empty Columns: Don't clear a spot unless you have a King to put in it. An empty column is useless without a King.
- Color Management: Try to keep your tableau balanced with red and black kings. This gives you more options for moving cards later.
Advanced Tactics:
- Delay Foundation Moves: Don't automatically move cards to the foundation piles. Sometimes you need those cards in the tableau to maneuver other cards.
- Check the Stockpile: If you have a choice between a move in the tableau and drawing from the stockpile, usually the tableau move is better. However, checking the first card of the stockpile can give you critical information.
- Undo is Your Friend: Our game features unlimited undo. Use it to explore different paths and see which one leads to victory.
Benefits of playing
Solitaire is more than a way to pass time. A quick game sharpens focus, exercises planning, and gives your mind a calm reset.
- Improves Patience: Teaches delayed gratification and persistence
- Strategic Thinking: Develops planning and problem-solving skills
- Stress Relief: Provides a calming, meditative gaming experience
- Memory Enhancement: Helps remember card positions and sequences
- Focus & Concentration: Improves attention to detail and sustained focus
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the things players ask most about Klondike Solitaire.
What's the difference between 1-card and 3-card draw?
In 1-card draw (easier), you draw one card at a time from the stock pile. In 3-card draw (harder), you draw three cards but can only play the top card, making the game more challenging.
Can every Solitaire game be won?
No. Some deals cannot be won no matter how well you play, because the cards you need are buried under cards you cannot move. Even among the deals that are solvable, solving one usually depends on choices made in the first few moves, so a real win rate sits well below the share of deals that are theoretically winnable.
How is scoring calculated in Solitaire?
Points are awarded for moving cards to foundations (+10), revealing face-down cards (+5), and time bonuses. Points may be deducted for moves that don't progress the game.
What's the origin of Solitaire?
Solitaire card games originated in Northern Europe in the late 18th century. Klondike Solitaire specifically became popular during the Canadian Gold Rush and gained worldwide fame through Microsoft Windows.
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