Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is the world's most popular card game. When someone says "Solitaire," they usually mean Klondike—the classic version that came pre-installed on Windows computers since 1990. Play it free online here with no download required.
How to Play Klondike Solitaire
Objective
Move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, building each suit up from Ace to King.
Setup
- Deal 7 columns of cards (the tableau)
- Column 1 gets 1 card, column 2 gets 2 cards, up to column 7 with 7 cards
- Only the top card of each column is face-up
- Remaining 24 cards form the stock pile
Basic Moves
- Tableau: Stack cards in descending order, alternating colors (red 6 on black 7)
- Foundation: Build up by suit from Ace to King
- Stock: Draw cards to find playable options
- Empty columns: Only Kings can fill empty tableau spaces
Klondike Solitaire Rules
Tableau Rules
- Cards must be placed in descending sequence
- Colors must alternate (red-black-red-black)
- You can move single cards or stacks of properly sequenced cards
- When you move a card, flip the face-down card beneath it
- Only Kings (or stacks starting with Kings) can go in empty spaces
Foundation Rules
- Build four piles, one per suit
- Start with Ace, end with King
- Cards go up in order: A-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-J-Q-K
Stock Pile Rules
- Draw 1 or 3 cards at a time (game setting)
- Play the top card of the waste pile
- When stock is empty, flip waste pile to make new stock
Draw 1 vs Draw 3: Which is Better?
| Feature | Draw 1 | Draw 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easier | Harder |
| Win Rate | ~43% | ~11% |
| Card Access | See every card | Only every 3rd card |
| Strategy | More forgiving | Requires planning |
| Best For | Beginners, casual play | Challenge seekers |
Recommendation: Start with Draw 1 to learn, then move to Draw 3 for a challenge.
Klondike Solitaire Strategy
Top 10 Winning Tips
- Move Aces and 2s immediately — Always send them to foundations
- Expose hidden cards first — Prioritize moves that flip face-down cards
- Don't rush to foundations — Sometimes cards are more useful in tableau
- Plan King placements carefully — Consider which color you need in each column
- Keep columns balanced — Avoid emptying columns without a King ready
- Build down evenly — Don't stack everything in one column
- Watch the stock closely — Note which cards are buried
- Use undo to explore options — Test different move sequences
- Clear columns for Kings — Create opportunities to place Kings
- Be patient — Sometimes waiting reveals better moves
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Moving cards to foundations too early (limiting options)
- Filling empty spaces with the wrong King color
- Ignoring face-down cards in favor of stock cards
- Not planning ahead for Kings
History of Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire's origins trace back to the late 19th century, likely named after the Klondike region in Canada's Yukon during the 1890s gold rush.
The game became a global phenomenon when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0 in 1990. Originally added to help users learn mouse drag-and-drop, it became one of the most played computer games in history.
Today, Klondike remains the default meaning of "Solitaire" worldwide, with millions of games played daily across computers, phones, and tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Klondike Solitaire?
Klondike Solitaire is the classic solitaire card game where you arrange cards in descending order on the tableau and build four foundation piles from Ace to King by suit. It's the version that came with Windows and is the most popular solitaire variant worldwide.
What's the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
In Draw 1 mode, you flip one card at a time from the stock pile, making more cards accessible. In Draw 3 mode, you flip three cards at once but can only play the top card, making the game more challenging.
How do you win Klondike Solitaire?
You win by moving all 52 cards to the four foundation piles. Each foundation must be built up by suit from Ace to King.
Is Klondike Solitaire always winnable?
No. About 80% of Klondike deals are theoretically winnable, but only with perfect play. In practice, most players win around 20-30% of games.
Why is it called Klondike?
The name likely comes from the Klondike gold rush region in Canada's Yukon (1896-1899). Gold prospectors may have played the game during the long northern winters.
More Solitaire Games
- Spider Solitaire — Build 8 sequences from King to Ace
- FreeCell — Strategic solitaire with free cells
- Pyramid Solitaire — Match pairs that equal 13