How do you play Klondike solitaire?

Deal 28 cards into 7 tableau columns with face-up top cards. Build the tableau in descending order with alternating colors, and move cards to foundations starting with Aces. You can draw 1 or 3 cards at a time from the stock pile. Empty columns can only hold Kings. The game ends when you move all 52 cards to the foundations or run out of moves.

What's the win rate of Klondike solitaire?

Approximately 80% of Klondike deals are winnable with perfect play. Average players win 10-30% of games. Skilled players with good strategy can achieve win rates of 40-50%. The exact percentage depends on whether you're playing Draw 1 or Draw 3 mode.

Is Klondike the same as regular solitaire?

Yes, Klondike and regular solitaire are the same game. The term 'Klondike' refers to the standard solitaire variant that most people know. It's called Klondike because it was popular during the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s.

What's the tableau in Klondike solitaire?

The tableau is the main playing area consisting of 7 columns of cards. The first column has 1 card, the second has 2, up to the seventh with 7 cards (28 cards total). Only the top card of each column is visible initially, but you reveal face-down cards as you move cards around.

What are the key strategies for winning Klondike?

Key strategies include: always move Aces and Twos to foundations immediately, prioritize revealing face-down cards over making foundation moves, create empty columns strategically, think multiple moves ahead, and manage the stock pile wisely. In Draw 3 mode, remember which cards appear together in draws.

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Klondike Solitaire: The Complete Guide (2025)

Solitaire - The Original Classic Card Game

Last Updated: January 2026 | Reading Time: 12 minutes

Klondike Solitaire is the world's most popular card game, played by millions daily. Whether you call it "Classic Solitaire," "Patience," or simply "Solitaire," this timeless single-player game has captivated players since the late 1800s. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything from basic rules to advanced winning strategies.

🎴 Play Free Klondike Solitaire Now

What is Klondike Solitaire?

Klondike Solitaire is a single-player card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to move all cards to four foundation piles, organizing them by suit from Ace to King. It became globally popular when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0 in 1990, making it one of the most-played computer games of all time.

             Quick Facts:
            Players: 1 (single-player game)
Deck: Standard 52-card deck
Difficulty: Medium (requires strategy and planning)
Average Win Rate: 79-81% of games are theoretically winnable
Typical Game Time: 5-15 minutes

        

How to Play Klondike Solitaire: Complete Rules

Game Objective

The goal is to build four foundation piles, one for each suit (Hearts ♥, Diamonds ♦, Clubs ♣, Spades ♠), starting with the Ace and ending with the King, in ascending order.

Initial Setup

Klondike Solitaire begins with a specific card layout:

Tableau: Deal 7 piles of cards from left to right:
- 1st pile: 1 card (face-up)
- 2nd pile: 2 cards (top card face-up, 1 face-down)
- 3rd pile: 3 cards (top card face-up, 2 face-down)
- Continue this pattern through the 7th pile (1 face-up, 6 face-down)
Stock Pile: The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile (face-down)
Foundation Piles: Four empty spaces above the tableau where you'll build your winning stacks
Waste Pile: An empty space next to the stock for drawn cards

Klondike Solitaire - Initial Setup showing 7 tableau piles, stock, waste, and foundations — **Initial Klondike Layout:** 7 tableau piles (1-7 cards each), 4 empty foundations (top-right), stock pile (24 cards, top-left), and waste pile.

Gameplay Rules

Moving Cards in the Tableau

Stack cards in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, etc.)
Alternate colors (red on black, black on red)
Example: A red 7 can be placed on a black 8
You can move sequences of properly stacked cards together
When a face-down card is exposed, flip it face-up
Only Kings (or sequences starting with Kings) can fill empty tableau spaces

✓ Valid Tableau Moves

✗ Invalid Tableau Moves

Tableau Rules Summary

Descending rank order: K→Q→J→10→9→8→7→6→5→4→3→2→A
Alternating colors: Red (♥ ♦) ↔ Black (♠ ♣)
Move single cards or complete sequences
Only Kings can fill empty columns

Building Foundation Piles

Start each foundation with an Ace
Build upward in the same suit (A→2→3→4...→K)
Cards can be moved back from foundations to tableau (with a -10 score penalty)
The game is won when all four foundations are complete

Klondike Solitaire - Foundation Building showing Spades complete (A-K), Hearts in progress (A-Q), Clubs (A-9), and Diamonds (A-7) — **Foundation Building:** Each foundation must start with an Ace and build up to King in the same suit. The diagram shows Spades complete (A♠→K♠), Hearts nearly complete (A♥→Q♥), Clubs in progress (A♣→9♣), and Diamonds started (A♦→7♦).

Foundation Rules

Each foundation builds ONE suit only (♥ ♦ ♣ ♠)
Must start with an Ace (A) - No other card can begin a foundation
Build in ascending order: A → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → J → Q → K
Only ONE card at a time can be moved to a foundation
Win when all 4 foundations complete! (52 cards total: 13 per foundation)

Using the Stock Pile

Draw-1 Mode: Turn over one card at a time (easier, recommended for beginners)
Draw-3 Mode: Turn over three cards at a time (harder, traditional rules)
Only the top card of the waste pile can be played
Cycle through the stock pile unlimited times (most online versions)

Klondike Solitaire - Turn 1 vs Turn 3 Mode Comparison showing win rates, card accessibility, and strategic differences — **Turn 1 vs Turn 3 Comparison:** Turn 1 mode (left) draws one card at a time with 79% win rate, making every card accessible. Turn 3 mode (right) draws three cards with only the top card playable, resulting in a 30% win rate.

Which Mode Should You Choose?

✓ Choose Turn 1 Mode if you:

Are learning Klondike for the first time
Want more strategic control over your moves
Prefer a higher chance of winning (79% vs 30%)
Enjoy planning multiple moves ahead
Like having access to every card in the deck

⚠️ Choose Turn 3 Mode if you:

Want the traditional, classic Klondike experience
Seek a more challenging game with lower win rates
Are comfortable with luck playing a bigger role
Have mastered Turn 1 and want to test your skills
Enjoy games where many cards may be inaccessible

Recommendation: Start with Turn 1 to learn the game mechanics and strategies. Once you consistently win, challenge yourself with Turn 3 for the traditional experience.

Scoring System (Simplified Modern Scoring)

Our version uses simplified modern scoring to help you track your progress and challenge yourself:

            📊 Point Values:
            Move to Foundation: +10 points per card
Reveal Face-Down Card: +5 points each
King to Empty Column: +20 points (strategic bonus)
Win Bonus: +500 points
Time Bonus: +2 points per second under 5 minutes (300 seconds)

        

Example Score: If you complete a game in 3 minutes (180 seconds) with all 52 cards moved to foundations and revealing 21 face-down cards: (52 × 10) + (21 × 5) + 500 + (120 × 2) = 520 + 105 + 500 + 240 = 1,365 points

Your top 5 scores are saved locally so you can track your improvement over time. Try to beat your personal best!

Winning Strategies & Expert Tips

Pro Tip: Always expose face-down cards before drawing from the stock. Each face-down card you reveal gives you more options and increases your chances of winning.

Essential Strategies for Beginners

Prioritize Exposing Hidden Cards
Your first priority should always be revealing face-down cards. Focus on columns with the most face-down cards, as they offer the most potential moves.
Don't Empty a Tableau Pile Without a King
Empty spaces are valuable, but they can only be filled with Kings. Don't create an empty space unless you have a King (or a sequence starting with a King) ready to place there.
Build Evenly Across Columns
Try to keep columns roughly the same height. This gives you more flexibility and makes it easier to move cards between columns.
Think Before Moving to Foundations
Don't rush to move cards to foundations, especially low cards (2s, 3s, 4s). You might need them in the tableau for building sequences. Move to foundations when cards won't be useful in the tableau anymore.
Aces and Deuces: Move Early
Move Aces to foundations immediately. Deuces can also be moved safely—you won't need them in the tableau.

Advanced Winning Tactics

The "Color Strategy"
When you have a choice, build in a way that maximizes color flexibility. For example, if you can place either a red 7 or a black 7 on a black 8, consider which opens more future moves.
Plan Multiple Moves Ahead
Before making a move, think 2-3 moves ahead. Ask yourself: "If I make this move, what becomes possible next?" Look for move sequences that expose multiple face-down cards.
The "Breaking Order" Technique
Sometimes you need to break up a good sequence in one column to expose cards in another. This is acceptable if it reveals multiple face-down cards or creates better long-term opportunities.
Manage the Stock Pile Wisely
Before drawing from the stock, ensure you've made all possible moves in the tableau. Each draw from the stock should be a deliberate decision, not a default action.
Foundation Timing Strategy
A good rule: don't move cards to foundations unless they're at least 2-3 ranks lower than the lowest card still in play. For example, if you still have 9s in the tableau, it's safe to move 6s and lower to foundations.

            💡 Memory Trick: Remember the acronym EXPOSE:
            Expose face-down cards first
X-ray (plan) multiple moves ahead
Protect empty spaces for Kings
Organize columns evenly
Stock pile - use last
Evaluate before moving to foundations

        

Popular Klondike Variations

Variation	Key Difference	Difficulty
Draw-1 (Easy)	Draw one card at a time from stock	Easy
Draw-3 (Classic)	Draw three cards at a time from stock	Hard
Vegas Solitaire	Scoring system with money, limited stock cycles	Expert
Thoughtful Solitaire	All cards dealt face-up (no hidden cards)	Medium

Winning Odds & Statistics

Understanding the mathematics behind Klondike helps set realistic expectations:

Theoretical Winnable Games: 79-81% of all random deals
Actual Win Rate (Average Player): 10-30%
Expert Win Rate: 43-55%
Draw-1 vs Draw-3: Draw-1 has roughly double the win rate of Draw-3
Total Possible Games: Over 8 million unique starting positions

📊 Fun Fact: Studies show that about 79% of Klondike games (Draw-1) are theoretically solvable, but the average player wins only 10-30% because they don't play optimally. With practice and strategy, you can dramatically improve your win rate!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you always win at Klondike Solitaire?

No. Approximately 20-21% of Klondike deals are mathematically impossible to win, regardless of how perfectly you play. However, with optimal strategy, you can win about 79-81% of games.

What's the difference between Klondike and regular Solitaire?

"Solitaire" is a generic term for single-player card games. Klondike is the specific version most people think of when they say "Solitaire." There are over 100 different solitaire games, but Klondike is by far the most popular.

How do you increase your chances of winning?

Focus on these three priorities: (1) Expose face-down cards, (2) Build evenly across columns, and (3) Only create empty spaces when you have a King ready. These strategies alone can double your win rate.

Is Draw-1 or Draw-3 better?

Draw-1 is easier and better for learning. Draw-3 is the traditional rule and provides more challenge. Most casual players prefer Draw-1, while experienced players often choose Draw-3 for added difficulty.

Should I move cards to foundations immediately?

No! This is a common mistake. Keep lower-ranked cards (2-6) in the tableau longer—you might need them for building sequences. Move cards to foundations only when they won't be useful in the tableau.

Can you undo moves in Klondike?

In most online versions (including ours), yes! The undo feature is a great learning tool. Traditional card games don't allow undos, but digital versions typically do.

How long does a typical game take?

Most games take 5-15 minutes. Experienced players can complete easier deals in under 5 minutes, while challenging deals might take 20+ minutes of careful planning.

Why Klondike Solitaire is Perfect for You

Klondike Solitaire isn't just a game—it's a mental workout that offers numerous benefits:

Improves concentration and focus – Requires sustained attention and strategic planning
Enhances problem-solving skills – Each game presents unique challenges to solve
Reduces stress – Provides a calming, meditative experience
Sharpens memory – Remembering card locations and planning sequences exercises your brain
No time pressure – Play at your own pace
Instant gratification – Quick games with clear win/loss outcomes

Ready to Play?

Now that you've mastered the rules and strategies, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Our free online Klondike Solitaire offers beautiful graphics, smooth animations, and all the features you need:

Choose between Draw-1 or Draw-3 modes
Unlimited undo/redo
Hint system when you're stuck
Auto-complete when you've won
Statistics tracking (games played, win rate, best time)
Works on all devices (mobile, tablet, desktop)
No downloads, no registration, 100% free forever

🎮 Play Free Klondike Solitaire Now

Explore More Solitaire Games

Love Klondike? Try these other popular solitaire variations:

Spider Solitaire – Uses two decks, build sequences in the same suit
FreeCell Solitaire – Almost every game is winnable with perfect play (99.99%!)
TriPeaks Solitaire – Fast-paced pyramid clearing game
Pyramid Solitaire – Match cards that add up to 13
Golf Solitaire – Clear the tableau in the fewest moves

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Last updated: October 2025 | TrySolitaire.com – The world's best free solitaire experience