How to play Klondike solitaire
Klondike is the classic solitaire most people know simply as “Solitaire.” Build each suit from Ace to King on the foundations.
The layout
- Seven columns: the first has one card, the last has seven. Only the bottom card of each is face up.
- The deck (top left) holds the other 24 cards. Tap it to turn cards onto the waste pile beside it.
- Four foundations (top right), one for each suit.
The rules
- In the columns, build down in alternating colors: a black 9 goes on a red 10.
- You can move a correctly ordered group of face-up cards together.
- When you uncover a face-down card, it turns face up.
- Only a King (with any cards on it) can go into an empty column.
- Build each foundation up by suit, starting with the Ace.
- When the deck runs out, tap it to turn the waste pile over and go through it again. In our game there’s no limit on how many times.
Draw one or draw three
Turning one card at a time is easier. Turning three at a time (you can only play the top one) is the traditional, harder game. Choose in the Menu; it applies from the next deal.
How to play here
- Tap a card to move it to the best place: a foundation if possible, otherwise a column.
- Tap the deck to turn over new cards.
- Prefer to choose the spot yourself? In the Menu, pick “Let me pick where”.
- Undo as often as you like, and tap Hint when you’re stuck.
Tips
- Uncover the face-down cards in the longest columns first.
- Don’t empty a column unless you have a King ready to move into it.
- Moving cards to the foundations too early can leave you stuck. Sometimes a 4 is more useful in a column.
Questions
Can every game of Klondike be won?
Not every deal in general, especially when drawing three. But here, by default, the computer checks each new deal and only gives you one it has found a way to win. You can turn this off in the Menu if you prefer completely random deals.
How does the Hint button work?
It works out a winning line from where you are and suggests the next step. Follow the hints all the way and you’ll win the deal.
Is it free? Will my game be saved?
Yes and yes: it’s free with no sign-up, and your game is saved in this browser after every move.