Klondike Solitaire
The classic game of Klondike is the most popular and well known Solitaire game. Commonly also known as Patience or simply, Solitaire.
Difficulty: Easy
Rules are easy to understand.
Odds of winning: Fifty-fifty
Win about 1 in 2 games (50%).
Duration: Moderate
5 to 10 minutes per game.
Skill Level: Balanced
Winning involves skill and luck equally.
How to Play Klondike
Game Objective
Move all cards to the four foundations.
Foundation Rules
- There are four foundations.
- An Ace may move to an empty foundation.
- The foundations build up by the same suit.
- For example the 3♠ may move onto the 2♠ and the 3♦ may move onto the 2♦. Starting with the 3♥ the following sequence can build on top 4♥ 5♥ 6♥ 7♥.
- The top card is movable.
Tableau Rules
- There are seven tableaus.
- A King may move to an empty tableau. No other cards may move to an empty tableau.
- The tableaus build down by alternating colors.
- For example the 8♠ may move onto the 9♦ and the 8♥ may move onto the 9♣. Starting with the 8♥ the following sequence can build on top 7♠ 6♦ 5♣.
- Any card or stack of cards may move together as a group. Any stack of cards may move together, regardless of their build (no restriction on rank, suit or color).
Stock Rules
- An unlimited number of passes through the stock is permitted. There is no restriction on how many times the waste can be redealt to the stock.
- The stock deals one card face up to the waste when tapped.
Waste Rules
- There is one waste.
- The top card is movable.
Strategy & Tips
Klondike has about a 1 in 2 chance of winning (50%). Improve your chances with these 8 tips:
- Always and immediately move an Ace to a foundation.
- Always and immediately move a Two to a foundation when possible.
- Given more than one option to expose hidden cards, choose the column with the most hidden cards.
- Don't make a move that is not important. Moves that provide the opportunity to make a further move are best.
- Do not empty tableau piles unless there is a King available to immediately fill it.
- Given a choice of a red King and a black King to fill an empty tableau, choose the one that will unblock the most moves.
- Build the tableaus at the same rate. Do not let one get too far ahead of the others as it restricts options.
- Prefer to uncover cards on the tableau by moving cards between stacks over using the waste to build.
Similar Games
There are 34 games that have a similar play style to Klondike:
- American Canister
- Aunt Mary
- Blind Alleys
- British Canister
- Canister
- Chinaman
- Chinese Klondike
- Double Easthaven
- Double Klondike
- Eastcliff
- Easthaven
- Gargantua
- Gold Mine
- Gold Rush
- Klondike (Draw Three)
- Klondike (Draw Two)
- Morehead
- Pantagruel
- Pas Seul
- Quadruple Klondike
- Somerset
- Spike
- Steps
- Thoughtful
- Three Bears
- Thumb and Pouch
- Trigon
- Triple Easthaven
- Triple Klondike
- Westcliff
- Westhaven
- Whitehead
- Whitehorse
- Yukon