Klondike Solitaire Complete Guide
Klondike is the world’s classic single-player card game. This page covers layout, move rules, and winning tips — ready to deal after you read.
Learn in 60 seconds
- Deal: Set up 7 tableau columns and flip the top card of each.
- Build: On the tableau, stack alternating colors from high to low.
- Collect: Move cards to foundations by suit, Ace through King.
- Win: Fill all four suit piles to clear the game!
Klondike vs FreeCell vs Spider
Similar names, different games — the “Solitaire” built into Windows is usually Klondike.
| Game | English | Decks | Core play | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike | Klondike | 1 deck | This page. Alternate colors downward; collect each suit A→K. | Beginner |
| FreeCell | FreeCell | 1 deck | All cards start face-up; use 4 free cells. Almost every deal is solvable. | Intermediate |
| Spider | Spider | 2 decks | Two decks; clear a same-suit K→A run in one line. | Advanced |
How the table is set
- Foundations (top right): A → K (four piles, one per suit).
- Stock / Waste (top left): The remaining 24 cards, drawn when you need more.
- Tableau (7 columns below): 28 cards dealt across 7 columns; only the top of each is face-up.
Play it through
- Goal: Collect each suit from A to K into the four foundations at top right. Look over the whole table first.
- Alternate colors, high to low: Stack red ♥8 on black ♣9. After you move it, the covered card below flips face-up.
- Move a whole run: A built run like “♣9 ♥8” can move together onto red ♦10 — one run at a time, not card by card.
- When you get an A, send it to a foundation and start collecting ♣ — that column empties too.
- Empty columns take only Kings: Move ♦K into the empty column to start a new line (the card under it flips too).
- When no moves are left, tap the stock to flip one card to the waste. After the stock is empty you can recycle from the start — with no limit on how many times.
Detailed rules
- Tableau moves: Must alternate red/black and descend in rank (e.g. black 7 on red 8).
- Flip covers: After you move the card above, the newly exposed face-down card flips up.
- Empty columns: An empty tableau column can hold only a King (or a run that starts with a King).
- Foundations: Same suit only, building up from Ace (A → 2 → … → K).
- Stock: When the tableau is stuck, draw from the stock (1 or 3 at a time). After the last card, recycle from the start.
Winning tips
- Uncover face-down cards first: Prefer columns with the most hidden cards — more face-up cards mean more options.
- Don’t rush foundations: Aces and 2s can go up immediately, but 3+ left on the tableau often help you build.
- Save empty columns for Kings: Don’t clear a column if you have no King ready — you’ll lose a staging space.
- Advance suits evenly: Don’t pile one suit too high or middle ranks get stuck on the tableau.
- Remember three-card draw order: When stuck, cycle the stock for a breakthrough.
FAQ
What do people usually mean by “solitaire”?
Usually Klondike. It’s different from FreeCell, where every card starts face-up; classic Klondike keeps some cards hidden, mixing skill and luck.
How many decks do I need?
Standard Klondike uses 1 deck (52 cards, no jokers).
What’s the difference between draw-1 and draw-3?
Draw-1 is easier. Draw-3 limits which cards you can take each pass and rewards memory and planning.
What is a “dead end”? Is every deal solvable?
Classic random Klondike does not guarantee every deal is solvable. Unlimited stock recycle only means there is no recycle-count limit — you can still hit a dead end. In Pawlitaire, new deals preferentially use verified-solvable seeds; shared deal codes or rare fallbacks may still be unsolvable. When nothing can move or build, it’s a dead end — starting a new deal is more fun than forcing it.
Can I play on phone or tablet?
Yes! No app install needed — open the page in your mobile browser and play free anytime.
Two little skills
Pawlitaire is cozy Klondike with pet companions — classic play plus collectible pals, themed decks, and rescue skills:
Peek
Think, then moveTap any tableau column to peek at the next hidden card it will flip, then decide your move.
Tuck
See you laterCan’t clear a blocking hidden card? Tap that tableau column to tuck it to the bottom of the stock and deal with it later. A tuck can’t be undone, so pick your column carefully.