What Is Klondike Solitaire? A Complete Guide

Klondike Solitaire is the world's most beloved card game for one player. Whether you know it simply as "Solitaire" or by its proper name, this timeless game has been bringing joy and quiet challenge to millions of people for well over a century.

What Is Klondike Solitaire?

Klondike Solitaire is a single-player card game played with a standard 52-card deck. The goal is beautifully simple: move all 52 cards onto four foundation piles, one for each suit, building each pile from Ace up to King. It is the game that most people picture when they hear the word "Solitaire."

The game begins with 28 cards dealt into seven columns on the tableau. The first column has one card, the second has two, the third has three, and so on up to seven. Only the top card of each column is turned face up. The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile, which you draw from throughout the game.

What makes Klondike so enduringly popular is its perfect balance of luck and skill. Every deal is different, and while some hands may be unwinnable, a thoughtful player who takes her time can find the winning path in most games. It is a game that rewards patience, careful observation, and gentle persistence.

The History of Klondike

The name "Klondike" comes from the Klondike region of the Yukon in Canada, famous for the gold rush of the late 1890s. Legend has it that prospectors played this card game to pass the long, quiet evenings in their camps. Whether or not the story is entirely true, the name stuck and has been used ever since.

Solitaire card games have roots stretching back to the 18th century in Northern Europe, with the earliest written records appearing in Scandinavian and German texts. The games were sometimes called "patience" games, a name still used throughout Europe today.

Klondike's rise to worldwide fame came in 1990 when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0. The original purpose was to help new computer users learn how to use a mouse through the familiar motions of clicking and dragging cards. What Microsoft may not have anticipated was that their little card game would become one of the most-played computer games in history, enjoyed by office workers and home users alike for decades to come.

How to Play: Complete Rules

Setting Up the Game

The game uses one standard deck of 52 cards. Cards are dealt into seven columns called the tableau. Column one gets one card, column two gets two cards, and so on until column seven gets seven cards. The top card of each column is turned face up. The remaining 24 cards are placed face down as the stock pile.

The Four Areas of Play

• Tableau: The seven columns where most of your card-moving happens. You build columns in descending order, alternating red and black cards.
• Foundations: Four empty spaces where you build each suit from Ace to King. This is where you want all your cards to end up.
• Stock pile: The remaining cards you draw from when you have no more moves on the tableau.
• Waste pile: Where drawn stock cards go. Only the top card is available for play.

Making Moves

On the tableau, you may place a card on top of another card that is one rank higher and of the opposite color. For example, a red 6 can go on a black 7. You can move single cards or entire sequences of properly ordered cards between columns. When a face-down card is uncovered, turn it face up.

Empty tableau columns can only be filled with a King or a sequence beginning with a King. When you find an Ace, move it to a foundation. Then build on that foundation in order: Ace, 2, 3, and so on up to King, all in the same suit.

Winning Strategies

Here are some tried-and-true strategies that experienced Klondike players swear by:

1. Always play an Ace or Deuce to the foundation immediately. There is never a reason to hold onto these low cards. Moving them up opens space and gives you more options.
2. Uncover face-down cards whenever possible. Your highest priority should be revealing hidden cards, especially in the larger columns. The more cards you can see, the better decisions you can make.
3. Do not empty a column unless you have a King to fill it. An empty column with no King to place there is a wasted opportunity. Wait until you have a King ready before clearing a column.
4. Choose carefully when you have options. If you can place a card in more than one spot, think about which placement uncovers a face-down card or creates the most useful sequence.
5. Go through the stock pile before making big moves. Seeing what cards are available in the stock helps you plan your strategy for the tableau.

Draw One vs. Draw Three

Klondike can be played in two main ways, depending on how you draw from the stock pile:

Draw One (Turn 1) means you flip one card at a time from the stock. This is the easier version because you get to see and potentially use every card in the stock. It is a wonderful way to learn the game and enjoy a relaxing session.

Draw Three (Turn 3) means you flip three cards at a time, but only the top card is playable. This is significantly harder because two out of every three cards may be inaccessible on any given pass through the stock. This version is for players who enjoy a stiffer challenge.

If you are new to Klondike or simply want a calming, enjoyable experience, we recommend starting with Draw One. You can always switch to Draw Three when you want to test your skills further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the win rate for Klondike Solitaire?

Statistically, about 79% of Klondike Solitaire deals are winnable when played perfectly. However, the average player wins roughly 25-30% of games. With practice and good strategy, experienced players can push their win rate to around 40-50%. Do not be discouraged if you lose more than you win at first. That is perfectly normal, and every game is still enjoyable.

Is Klondike Solitaire the same as regular Solitaire?

Yes, when most people say "Solitaire," they mean Klondike Solitaire. It is the most well-known version of the hundreds of solitaire card game variations that exist. Klondike became synonymous with "Solitaire" largely thanks to its inclusion in Microsoft Windows starting in 1990.

Should I draw one card or three cards in Klondike?

Draw-one (also called Turn 1) is easier and recommended for beginners. You see every card in the stock pile and have more options. Draw-three (Turn 3) is more challenging because you only access every third card. Start with draw-one to learn, then try draw-three once you are comfortable with the strategy.