Klondike Solitaire is the world's most popular single-player card game. When most people say “Solitaire,” they mean Klondike. It uses a standard 52-card deck and combines skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. This guide covers everything you need to know — from setup to advanced strategy.
What Is Klondike Solitaire?
Klondike is a single-player card game (also called “Patience” in the UK and Europe). The objective is to move all 52 cards from the tableau and stock pile onto four foundation piles, organized by suit from Ace to King.
The game was named after the Klondike region in northwestern Canada, likely gaining its name during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896–1899. It became a global phenomenon when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0 in 1990, introducing millions of computer users to the game.
Today, Klondike Solitaire remains the most played card game in the world. You can play Klondike Solitaire for free at Solitaires.gg — no download or registration required.
Game Setup
A game of Klondike Solitaire is set up with four areas:
The Tableau (7 columns)
Deal 28 cards face-down into seven columns. Column 1 receives 1 card, column 2 receives 2 cards, and so on, up to column 7 which receives 7 cards. Turn the top card of each column face-up. This creates a staircase pattern of cards.
| Column | Total cards | Face-down | Face-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
The Stock Pile
The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile (also called the “hand” or “talon”). These cards are placed face-down and drawn during gameplay. There are two draw modes:
- Draw 1 (Turn 1): Flip one card at a time from the stock. This is the easier mode with a higher win rate (~30%).
- Draw 3 (Turn 3): Flip three cards at a time, but only the top card is playable. This is the classic, more challenging mode (~10–15% win rate).
Not sure which to pick? Read our Draw 1 vs Draw 3 comparison.
The Foundation Piles (4 piles)
Four empty spaces above the tableau. Each foundation is built up by a single suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King:
Ace → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → Jack → Queen → King
There is one foundation per suit: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. When all four foundations are filled from Ace to King, you win.
The Waste Pile
When you draw cards from the stock pile, they go to the waste pile face-up. Only the top card of the waste pile can be played. When the stock is empty, the waste pile is flipped back to become the new stock.
Complete Rules
Tableau Rules
- Cards in the tableau must be stacked in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8...).
- Colors must alternate: place a red card on a black card, and vice versa. For example: black 7 → red 6 → black 5.
- You can move a single card or a properly sequenced group of face-up cards together.
- When a face-down card is exposed (no cards on top of it), it is automatically turned face-up.
- Only Kings can be placed in empty tableau columns.
Foundation Rules
- Each foundation must start with an Ace.
- Build each foundation up by suit in ascending order (Ace through King).
- Cards can be moved back from the foundation to the tableau if needed.
Stock Pile Rules
- Draw cards from the stock to the waste pile according to the chosen mode (1 or 3).
- Only the top card of the waste pile is available for play.
- When the stock is empty, flip the entire waste pile face-down to create a new stock (no limit on recycles in most variants).
Winning Condition
You win when all 52 cards have been moved to the four foundation piles, each containing 13 cards of the same suit arranged from Ace to King.
Strategy Tips
While luck plays a role, skilled players consistently achieve higher win rates. Here are the most impactful strategies:
1. Always Play Aces and Twos Immediately
There is never a strategic reason to keep an Ace or a Two in the tableau. Move them to the foundation immediately — they can't be useful for stacking in the tableau anyway.
2. Prioritize Revealing Face-Down Cards
The more cards you can see, the better decisions you can make. Always prefer moves that reveal face-down cards over other options. Target the columns with the most hidden cards first.
3. Don't Empty a Column Without a King
Empty tableau columns can only hold Kings. Emptying a column without a King ready wastes that space. Plan ahead and only clear a column when you have a King to place there.
4. Keep the Tableau Balanced
Avoid piling all your cards on one or two columns while others sit empty. A balanced tableau gives you more options and flexibility throughout the game.
5. Think Before Moving to Foundations
While it's tempting to move cards to the foundation as soon as possible, sometimes a card is more useful in the tableau for creating sequences. This is especially true for cards ranked 3 and above.
6. Use Undo Strategically
On Solitaires.gg, you can undo moves to try different strategies. Use this to explore multiple paths when you're unsure which move leads to a better outcome.
Want more tips? Read our 10 Solitaire Strategies That Actually Work.
Win Rates and Statistics
| Mode | Theoretical solvability | Average player win rate | Expert win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draw 1 | ~82% | ~30% | ~43% |
| Draw 3 | ~79% | ~10–15% | ~25% |
Not every deal is winnable. Research by mathematicians has shown that roughly 79% of all Klondike deals are theoretically solvable with perfect play. The difference between solvability and actual win rates comes down to the hidden information — you can't see the face-down cards.
Klondike Variations
Several popular variations of Klondike exist:
- Thoughtful Klondike: All cards are dealt face-up, removing the luck element. Almost 82% of deals are solvable with perfect play.
- Vegas Solitaire: Uses a scoring system based on casino rules. You “buy” the deck for $52 and earn $5 for each card placed on a foundation.
- Whitehead: Cards are dealt face-up and you stack by same color instead of alternating colors.
- Double Klondike: Uses two decks (104 cards) with 9 tableau columns and 8 foundation piles.
Key Terminology
- Tableau
- The seven columns of cards in the main playing area.
- Foundation
- The four piles where you build each suit from Ace to King to win.
- Stock (Talon)
- The face-down pile of remaining cards you draw from.
- Waste
- The face-up pile where drawn stock cards are placed.
- Cascade / Sequence
- A properly ordered group of cards (descending, alternating colors) that can be moved together.
- Build
- Adding cards to a pile following the rules (ascending by suit on foundations, descending with alternating colors on tableau).
Play Klondike Solitaire Online
Solitaires.gg offers a free, clean Klondike Solitaire experience with no download or registration required. Features include:
- Both Draw 1 and Draw 3 modes
- Undo, Hint, and Magic Move helpers
- Daily challenges with a global leaderboard
- Achievements and streak tracking
- Works offline as an installable Progressive Web App (PWA)
- Responsive design for desktop, tablet, and mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Klondike Solitaire?
Klondike Solitaire is the most popular version of solitaire, played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal is to move all cards to four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. It was popularized by its inclusion in Microsoft Windows starting in 1990.
Is every game of Klondike Solitaire winnable?
No. Research shows that approximately 79% of Klondike Solitaire deals are theoretically solvable. However, the actual win rate depends on player skill — the average player wins about 30% of Draw 1 games and 10–15% of Draw 3 games.
What is the difference between Solitaire and Patience?
Solitaire and Patience refer to the same family of single-player card games. “Solitaire” is the term used primarily in North America, while “Patience” is used in the UK and Europe. Klondike is the most well-known variant of both.
Can I move cards back from the foundation?
In standard Klondike Solitaire rules, yes — you can move cards back from the foundation to the tableau if needed. This can be a useful strategic move when you need a card to help uncover or sequence other cards.