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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:

  1. Always and immediately move an Ace to a foundation.
  2. Always and immediately move a Two to a foundation when possible.
  3. Given more than one option to expose hidden cards, choose the column with the most hidden cards.
  4. Don't make a move that is not important. Moves that provide the opportunity to make a further move are best.
  5. Do not empty tableau piles unless there is a King available to immediately fill it.
  6. 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.
  7. Build the tableaus at the same rate. Do not let one get too far ahead of the others as it restricts options.
  8. Prefer to uncover cards on the tableau by moving cards between stacks over using the waste to build.