Play Klondike Solitaire Online Free
Klondike solitaire is the classic patience game many players mean when they say “solitaire”: use one deck, organize the tableau in descending alternating colors, and build the four foundation piles from Ace to King.
- Build down by alternating color. Move a red 8, whether hearts or diamonds, onto a black 9, whether clubs or spades, then keep building downward.
- Move Aces to the foundations. Each foundation pile starts with an Ace and builds upward by suit, with one pile each for spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs.
- Use Turn 1 or Turn 3 from the stockpile. Turn 1 makes the top card easier to scan, while Turn 3 creates a tougher stockpile challenge.
- Only Kings fill empty columns. When the last card leaves a tableau pile, only a King or a King-led sequence can fill that open space.
Klondike Solitaire Strategy
Strong Klondike solitaire gameplay is mostly about revealing hidden cards and keeping future moves open.
- Expose face-down cards first. At the start of the game, only the top card of each tableau pile is face up, so new information usually matters more than a quick foundation move.
- Think before using the stockpile. A stock draw can change the order of available cards, especially in Turn 3, so pause before cycling to a new top card.
- Do not bury low cards too early. Keep Aces and Twos accessible so the foundation piles can start moving without trapping useful tableau cards.
More Solitaire Games
EveryDay Solitaire starts with classic Klondike solitaire and can branch into other familiar card games and solitaire games, from Pyramid to FreeCell, as the site grows.
Klondike Solitaire FAQ
Quick answers for players learning the classic solitaire rules.
What is the goal of Klondike Solitaire?
The goal is to move all 52 cards from the tableau and stockpile to the four foundation piles, building each suit from Ace through King.
What does the tableau look like at the start of the game?
Klondike begins with seven tableau piles. The first pile has one card, the second pile has two, and so on until the seventh pile has seven cards, with only the top card face up.
Is Turn 1 easier than Turn 3?
Usually, yes. Turn 1 gives you access to every stock card one at a time, while Turn 3 makes the stock order more restrictive.
Do card backs or decks change the rules?
No. Card backs and custom decks change how the cards look, but Klondike solitaire gameplay still uses one standard 52-card deck.
What does a daily challenge ID mean?
A daily challenge ID identifies the dated deal, so Daily Solitaire can point players to the same shuffle instead of a random new game.
Can every Klondike deal be won?
No. Some random deals are unwinnable, but careful tableau play and smart stock management improve your chances.