Klondike Solitaire

How to Play Klondike Solitaire

Your goal. Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles at the top right. Build a separate pile for each suit, starting with an Ace and finishing with a King. Revealing every hidden card is progress, but you win only when all four foundations are complete.

Understand the layout. The seven tableau columns start with one to seven cards, with only the exposed end card in each column face up. The remaining 24 cards form the stock at the top left. Cards drawn from the stock go into the face-up waste pile beside it.

Make your first move. Look for a face-up card you can place on a card one rank higher and of the opposite color. For example, move a black 7 onto a red 8. Move an available Ace to an empty foundation to start that suit.

Keep uncovering cards. Move cards or valid sequences between columns to reveal hidden cards. Draw from the stock to find other options. On a computer, drag cards to a valid destination. On a touch screen, tap a card and then its destination. Use Undo to try a different move.

Klondike Solitaire Rules

Tableau columns. Build down in alternating colors: red on black, then black on red. You may move one exposed card or a correctly ordered face-up sequence together. The highest card in the sequence must fit the destination card.

Empty columns. Only a King, or a valid sequence beginning with a King, can fill an empty tableau column. A Queen cannot move into an empty column on its own.

Foundations. Build up by suit in this order: A, 2–10, J, Q, K. For example, the 3 of hearts goes on the 2 of hearts, not the 2 of diamonds. In this version, you may return a top foundation card to the tableau when the move is legal.

Stock and waste. Only the top waste card is available to play. When the stock runs out, turn the remaining waste over to use it again. This version allows unlimited passes without shuffling. Newly exposed face-down tableau cards turn over automatically.

Solitaire Turn 1 vs Turn 3

Draw 1: one card at a time. Also called Turn 1 Solitaire, this mode reveals one stock card per draw. Every stock card becomes directly accessible as you go through the deck. Start here to learn the rules or enjoy a less restrictive game.

Draw 3: three cards at a time. Also called Turn 3 Solitaire, this mode turns over up to three stock cards per draw. Only the top waste card is playable. Move it to uncover the next one; you cannot freely choose among all three visible cards.

The goal stays the same. Both modes use the same tableau and foundation rules, with unlimited stock passes. Draw 3 calls for more attention to card access and order. Changing modes starts a new deal after you confirm.

Klondike Solitaire Strategy & Tips

Choose moves that reveal something. Before moving a card, check what it frees. When two moves appear equally useful, consider the one that reveals a face-down card rather than simply rearranging cards already visible.

Plan space for a King. An empty column helps only when you can use it. Check which King or King-led sequence you can move there, and what that move will uncover.

Keep useful building cards available. Before sending a card to a foundation, check whether another tableau card needs it. A red 6, for example, can provide a place for a black 5. You may need that connection to release a hidden card.

Watch the stock, especially in Draw 3. Remember cards you could not reach and revisit them after moving waste cards. Use Undo to compare alternatives and Hint for a legal move, not a guaranteed winning solution. These habits improve your decisions; they cannot make every deal winnable.