Klondike Solitaire ā often called "Classic Solitaire" or "Windows Solitaire" ā is the most popular solitaire game in the world. The goal is to build four foundation piles from Ace to King, one per suit. In the tableau, you build down in alternating colors (red on black, black on red). You move face-up cards between columns, flip face-down cards when a column is empty, and draw from the stock. This version uses draw-three (turn three cards at a time, like classic Windows). Empty tableau spaces can only hold a King.
Klondike mixes skill and luck: the order of cards in the stock affects whether you can win. Even so, good strategy improves your chances. This version uses the same dark-green theme and Spanish-style cards as our Golf Solitaire. Play free ā no download or signup.
Klondike likely originated in the late 1800s, possibly in the Klondike region during the gold rush (hence the name). It spread through card game books and became the standard "solitaire" in America.
Microsoft included it as "Solitaire" in Windows 3.0 and later versions, making it one of the most-played computer games ever. Millions learned the rules from Windows. Today "Klondike" and "Classic Solitaire" mean the same game to most players.
Seven tableau columns: first has 1 card, second 2, ā¦ seventh 7. The top card of each column is face-up; the rest face-down. The remaining 24 cards form the stock (draw pile). Four empty foundation spaces are for building by suit from Ace to King.
Build down in alternating colors: red on black, black on red (e.g. 10ā„ on Jā ). You may move one card at a time or a valid sequence of cards in descending order and alternating colors. Only the top face-up card (or top of a sequence) can be moved.
An empty tableau column may hold only a King (or a sequence starting with a King). Use empty columns to reorganize cards and expose face-down cards. Turning over a new card gives you more options.
When you need cards, draw from the stock. In draw-3, three cards are turned at a time; only the top card is playable. You can go through the stock in rounds. Our game uses draw-3 like classic Windows Solitaire.
Build each foundation from Ace to King in one suit. Move Aces to foundations as soon as possible, then build 2, 3, ā¦ King of that suit. Cards on foundations stay there. You win when all four foundations are complete.
You win when all 52 cards are in the four foundations. You lose when there are no legal moves and the stock is exhausted. Not every deal is winnable, but good play increases your win rate.
These strategies help you win more Klondike games and feel more in control:
Face-down cards are useless until revealed. Prioritize moves that empty a column or uncover a face-down card. Emptying a column lets you place a King and then build on it, and it often reveals new cards.
Don't move a card to a foundation too early if it could help in the tableau (e.g. freeing a face-down card). Sometimes keeping a card in play is better than building the foundation right away.
Long alternating-color sequences are flexible ā you can move the whole run to another column if the bottom card fits. Try to build one column with a long sequence so you have a "reserve" of movable cards.
Avoid filling empty columns with a single card unless it exposes something important. An empty column is valuable for reorganizing.
In draw-3, only the top of the three drawn cards is playable. Going through the stock cycles the order. If you need a card that's second or third in the pile, you must go through the stock again to reach it.
Before drawing from the stock, make sure you've made all useful tableau moves. Sometimes a move appears after you look at all columns again.
Getting Aces and 2s to the foundations opens space and often uncovers more cards. Don't leave an Ace in the tableau if you can help it ā move it to a foundation so the card below can be used.
If you have a choice of moves, prefer the one that exposes a face-down card or frees a column. More visible cards mean more options.
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Klondike is free with no paywalls. We also offer Golf Solitaire, Spider, and FreeCell on the same site.