About this game
Solitaire — properly called Klondike — is the card game that came pre-installed on more computers than almost any other piece of software. You deal 7 tableau columns from a shuffled deck (only the top card of each face up), then work through the rest as a draw pile. The goal is to move every card onto four foundations, one per suit, built up in order from Ace to King.
This version plays the real rules: the tableau builds down in alternating colors, only a King (or a King-led sequence) can fill an empty column, and foundations only accept the next rank up in the matching suit. Tap a card to send it to the best legal pile automatically, or drag it by hand — both work together. Undo mistakes, switch between Draw 1 and Draw 3, and once every card is face up, let Auto Finish fly the rest home.
How to play
- Tap any face-up card to auto-move it — to a foundation first if possible, otherwise to a legal tableau pile.
- Or drag a card (or a whole face-up sequence) by hand onto a pile; it snaps back if the move is illegal.
- Build tableau columns downward in alternating colors — a red 7 can hold a black 6, for example.
- Only a King, or a card sequence starting with a King, can be placed into an empty column.
- Click the stock pile to deal to the waste pile; click it again once it's empty to recycle the waste back.
- Double-click a card to send it straight to its foundation if that move is legal.
Tips & strategy
- Empty a column as early as you can — an open column (for a King) is often worth more than an extra foundation card.
- Don't rush Aces and 2s to the foundation the moment they appear; you may still need them to keep a tableau sequence buildable.
- Uncovering face-down cards is more valuable than tidying already-open ones — prioritize moves that flip a new card.
- New to the game? Start with Draw 1. Draw 3 deals three cards at a time and is noticeably harder to win.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic rules of Klondike Solitaire?
Tableau columns build downward alternating red and black (e.g. a black 8 on a red 9). Foundations build upward by suit starting from the Ace. Only a King — alone or leading a valid sequence — may move into an empty tableau column.
What's the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
Draw 1 deals one card to the waste pile at a time and gives you access to every card in the stock, making it far more winnable. Draw 3 deals three at a time but you can only play the top one, which hides more cards and makes the game noticeably tougher.
Can every game of Solitaire be won?
No — some deals are mathematically unsolvable. Research into Draw 1 Klondike puts roughly 80% of random deals as theoretically winnable with perfect play, though real players (who can't see the hidden cards in advance) win a good deal less often than that.