Key Takeaways
- Klondike Solitaire is played by one person with a standard 52-card deck and no Jokers.
- Deal 28 cards into seven tableau columns and place the remaining 24 cards in the stock.
- Build tableau columns downward in rank while alternating between red and black cards.
- Only a King, or a valid sequence beginning with a King, can fill an empty tableau column.
- You win by building four foundation piles by suit, from Ace through King.
In everyday use, “Solitaire” usually refers to Klondike, the familiar card game with seven tableau columns. However, solitaire is also a general name for many single-player games, including Spider, FreeCell, and Pyramid.
The goal in Klondike Solitaire is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles. Each foundation contains one suit and must be built in order from Ace to King.
What You Need
You need:
- One standard 52-card deck with the Jokers removed
- A flat surface with enough room for seven columns
- One player
This guide uses beginner-friendly Draw 1 rules. Draw modes and stock-recycling rules may differ between physical games and Solitaire apps.
Understanding the Solitaire Layout
A Klondike layout has four main areas:
| Area | Purpose |
| Tableau | Seven columns containing 28 cards, where most moves are made |
| Foundations | Four empty piles that are built by suit from Ace to King |
| Stock | The remaining 24 face-down cards |
| Waste | The face-up cards drawn from the stock |
The foundations and waste pile begin empty.
How to Set Up Solitaire
- Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
- Deal seven tableau columns from left to right. The first column receives one card, the second receives two cards, and so on until the seventh column contains seven cards.
- Turn the top card of each column face up. Keep all cards beneath it face down.
- Place the remaining 24 cards face down above or beside the tableau. These cards form the stock.
- Leave space beside the stock for one waste pile and four foundation piles.
You should now have 28 cards in the tableau and 24 cards in the stock.
How to Play Solitaire
Build Downward in Alternating Colors
Tableau cards are arranged in descending rank while alternating between red and black.
For example:
- A red 8 can be placed on a black 9.
- A black Jack can be placed on a red Queen.
- A red 4 cannot be placed on a red 5.
Suits do not need to alternate in the tableau. Only the colors must alternate.
Move Individual Cards or Sequences
You may move a single face-up card or a correctly ordered group of cards.
When moving a group, select one card and move it together with every card beneath it. The selected card must fit legally on the destination column.
For example, a sequence containing a red 8, black 7, and red 6 can be moved together onto a black 9.
Turn Over Exposed Cards
Whenever you remove the last face-up card covering a face-down card, turn the newly exposed card face up.
Revealing these hidden cards is one of the most important ways to make progress.
Fill Empty Columns With Kings
Only a King can be placed in an empty tableau column. You may also place a valid sequence that begins with a King in an empty column.
An empty column is valuable, so avoid filling it unless the King helps you reveal hidden cards or reorganize the tableau.
How to Use the Foundations
Move an available Ace to an empty foundation pile. Each foundation must contain a single suit and be built upward in rank:
Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on through King.
For example, the 2 of Hearts can be placed only on the Ace of Hearts. The 3 of Hearts can then be placed on the 2 of Hearts.
Aces and 2s are usually safe to move to the foundations immediately. Be more cautious with higher cards because you may still need them to build sequences in the tableau.
You win when all four foundations are complete and all 52 cards have been moved to them.
How to Use the Stock and Waste
When no useful move is available in the tableau or foundations, turn over the top card of the stock and place it face up on the waste pile.
Only the top card of the waste pile can be played. It may be moved either to a tableau column or to a foundation if it makes a legal move.
Under beginner-friendly Draw 1 rules, turn over one card at a time.
When the stock becomes empty, many versions allow you to turn the entire waste pile face down and use it as a new stock. Do not shuffle the cards when doing this. Some versions limit the number of passes through the stock, so check your app settings or choose a rule before beginning.
Draw 1 vs. Draw 3 Solitaire
In Draw 1 Solitaire, you turn over one stock card at a time. This makes more cards immediately accessible and is generally the better choice for beginners.
In Draw 3 Solitaire, you turn over three cards together. Only the top card of the group is immediately playable. If that card is moved, the next card beneath it becomes available.
Draw 3 requires more planning because the order in which cards appear in the waste pile affects which cards you can reach.
Beginner Solitaire Strategy Tips
- Prioritize moves that reveal face-down tableau cards.
- Check every tableau column and foundation before drawing from the stock.
- When two moves are available, prefer the one that uncovers a card from a column with more hidden cards.
- Move Aces and 2s to the foundations early, but think carefully before moving higher cards.
- Avoid placing a King in an empty column unless the move creates useful space or exposes a hidden card.
- Keep the foundation piles reasonably balanced so that cards of one color do not advance far ahead of the cards needed to support them in the tableau.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Do not make a move simply because it is legal. A legal move may still make the game harder.
For example, moving a card between two tableau columns without revealing a hidden card or opening a useful space may not improve your position. Before every move, consider whether it reveals a card, creates an empty column, makes a stock card playable, or helps build a foundation.
Also avoid automatically sending every available card to the foundations. Higher cards may still be needed to hold lower cards of the opposite color in the tableau.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a game of Solitaire usually take?
A typical game may take about 5 to 15 minutes, although difficult deals can take longer. The playing time depends on the draw mode, the number of available stock passes, and the player’s experience.
Can I move a card from a foundation back to the tableau?
Some versions allow a foundation card to return to the tableau if it creates a legal descending, alternating-color sequence. Other versions do not allow this, so check the rules or settings of the game you are using.
Can every Klondike Solitaire deal be won?
No. Some deals may not have a winning solution. A winnable deal can also become blocked if cards are moved in an unhelpful order.
Should I reveal a face-down card or create an empty column first?
Revealing a face-down card is usually the better move because it gives you access to new cards. However, creating an empty column may be more useful when you have a King or a King-led sequence ready to move.
Do I shuffle the waste pile before using it again?
Usually, no. If your rules allow another pass through the stock, turn the waste pile face down without shuffling it. Shuffling would change the card order and create a different game.
What is the difference between Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell?
Klondike uses seven tableau columns, a stock pile, and four foundations. Spider usually uses two decks and focuses on building complete same-suit sequences. FreeCell deals all cards face up and provides temporary storage cells for planning moves.
