How to Play Solitaire: Complete Beginner's Guide
Solitaire is the world's most popular single-player card game. Whether you call it Solitaire, Patience, or Klondike, the rules are simple to learn but the strategy runs deep. This guide will teach you everything you need to start playing—and winning—in just 5 minutes.
What is Solitaire?
Solitaire is a card game played by one person using a standard 52-card deck. The most common version is Klondike Solitaire, which became famous when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0 in 1990.
The objective is simple: move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, organized by suit from Ace to King.
Key Terms
- Tableau: The 7 columns of cards in the main playing area
- Foundation: The 4 piles where you build each suit from Ace to King
- Stock: The remaining deck you draw from
- Waste/Talon: Cards drawn from the stock that can be played
Game Setup
Setting up a Solitaire game takes about 30 seconds:
- Shuffle a standard 52-card deck
- Deal 7 columns (the tableau):
- Column 1: 1 card
- Column 2: 2 cards
- Column 3: 3 cards
- Column 4: 4 cards
- Column 5: 5 cards
- Column 6: 6 cards
- Column 7: 7 cards
- Turn the top card of each column face up
- Place remaining 24 cards face down as the stock pile
- Leave space for 4 foundation piles above the tableau
Total cards dealt: 28 in tableau + 24 in stock = 52 cards
Basic Rules
Moving Cards in the Tableau
- Place cards in descending order (King → Queen → Jack → 10...)
- Cards must alternate colors (red on black, black on red)
- Example: Red 6 goes on Black 7
- You can move multiple cards together if they form a valid sequence
- Only Kings can be placed in empty columns
Building the Foundations
- Start each foundation with an Ace
- Build up in ascending order (Ace → 2 → 3... → King)
- Each foundation is one suit only (all hearts, all spades, etc.)
- Once a card is on the foundation, you typically can't move it back
Using the Stock Pile
- Draw 1 or 3 cards at a time (depending on game mode)
- Play the top card of the waste pile to the tableau or foundation
- When the stock is empty, flip the waste pile to create a new stock
How to Win Solitaire
You win when all 52 cards are moved to the four foundation piles, each sorted by suit from Ace to King.
You lose (or get stuck) when:
- No legal moves remain
- You've cycled through the stock without progress
Win rate: About 80% of Klondike games are theoretically winnable. Most players win 15-25% of games in practice.
Beginner Tips to Win More Games
- Always play Aces and 2s immediately — There's no downside to moving them to foundations
- Expose face-down cards first — Prioritize moves that reveal hidden cards
- Don't empty a column without a King — Only Kings can fill empty spaces
- Keep columns balanced — Don't stack all cards in one column
- Be careful with Kings — Think before placing a King in an empty space
- Use undo freely — Online solitaire lets you experiment with moves
Popular Solitaire Variations
Klondike Solitaire
The classic version described above. Available in "Draw 1" (easier) and "Draw 3" (harder) modes.
Play Klondike Solitaire Free →
Spider Solitaire
Uses 2 decks (104 cards) in 10 columns. Build sequences from King to Ace within the tableau. Available in 1-suit (easy), 2-suit (medium), and 4-suit (hard) versions.
FreeCell
All cards are dealt face-up. Four "free cells" provide temporary storage. Nearly 99% of games are winnable with perfect play.
Pyramid Solitaire
Cards are arranged in a pyramid shape. Remove pairs of cards that add up to 13 (e.g., Queen + Ace, 8 + 5).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Solitaire?
The goal is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, sorted by suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) in ascending order from Ace to King.
How do you set up a Solitaire game?
Deal 28 cards into 7 columns (the tableau): 1 card in the first column, 2 in the second, and so on up to 7 cards in the seventh column. Turn the top card of each column face up. The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile.
Can you move cards between columns in Solitaire?
Yes, you can move cards between tableau columns by placing cards in descending order with alternating colors. For example, a red 6 can be placed on a black 7.
What percentage of Solitaire games are winnable?
About 80% of Klondike Solitaire games are theoretically winnable with perfect play. FreeCell has an even higher win rate at approximately 99%.
Is Solitaire good for your brain?
Yes! Studies suggest solitaire can improve memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It's often recommended as a low-stress mental exercise.
Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, it's time to put your skills to the test!