How to Play Solitaire
Do you enjoy playing solitaire? If so, Klondike is the ideal version for you! In this guide, you will learn the rules of Klondike Solitaire, one of the most popular and enduring types of solitaire. The goal is simple: move all cards from the Tableau to the Foundation. This post will explain how to master Klondike Solitaire by diving into its rules, ensuring you're ready to play like a pro.
Basic Rules of Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is perhaps the most well known form of solitaire. Even if you’ve never played it before, this is a great game to try at least once! It's a solo card game that requires only one standard deck of 52 cards and the aim is to solve the card puzzle through strategic moves.
Objective of Klondike
In Klondike Solitaire, you play with a single deck of cards, laying them out in seven columns. The top card in each column is face up, but the rest stay face down, hidden until you can get to them. The whole point of the game? To move every card over to four Foundation piles—one for each suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades). You have to start with the Aces and then stack the rest of the cards in order, ending with the Kings. Simple, but there’s plenty of strategy involved!
The Building Blocks of Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire features a straightforward setup with several key elements:
- Tableau: Seven columns of cards where only the top card is face up. Each subsequent column contains one more card than the previous, creating a pyramid like layout.
- Foundation: Four empty spaces where you’ll move cards in sequence by suit, starting with the Ace.
- Stockpile: The deck from which you draw cards to move onto the Tableau or directly into the Foundation.
- Waste Pile: Cards drawn from the Stockpile that are temporarily set aside until they can be used.
How to Set Up the Game
Playing Klondike Solitaire with a physical deck of cards is as enjoyable as playing online. Here’s how to set it up:
- Step 1 – Shuffle the Cards: Use one deck of 52 cards, ensuring no jokers are included.
- Step 2 – Deal Cards Across Seven Columns: Deal one card face up to the first column, then continue dealing one face down card to each of the remaining columns. Repeat this process, reducing the number of columns by one each time until all seven columns are complete.
- Step 3 – Open the Top Card of Each Column: Flip the top card in each column face up.
- Step 4 – The Remaining Cards Form the Stockpile: Place the remaining deck face down in the upper left corner to act as your Stockpile.
Solitaire Rules: Card Value and Order
In Klondike Solitaire, the suits are Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades. The goal is to move cards in descending order (King to Ace) on the Tableau, alternating between red and black suits. On the Foundation, cards must be placed in ascending order (Ace to King) by suit. Kings can only be placed on empty spaces on the Tableau, while Aces must start the Foundation piles.
Game Play Tips for Moving Cards
- Move cards from the Stockpile to the Waste Pile, then to the Tableau or Foundation.
- Shift cards between rows on the Tableau in descending order and alternating colours.
- Move completed stacks of cards to the Foundation when available.
- If you’ve cleared a row on the Tableau, you may place a King in the empty space to start a new sequence.
The Two Main Versions of Classic Klondike Solitaire
There are two main versions of Klondike Solitaire:
- 1 Card Draw: You draw one card at a time from the Stockpile. This is the simpler version and ideal for beginners.
- 3 Card Draw: In this more challenging version, you draw three cards at a time. Only the top card of the three can be played, making it more strategic and difficult.
How is Klondike Different from Solitaire?
Klondike is the most recognizable form of solitaire, but solitaire is a broader term that encompasses various solo card games. The name "Klondike" originates from the Klondike region during the gold rush, where the game gained popularity. This version of solitaire has since become a favourite worldwide.
How to Set Up Klondike Solitaire
To set up Klondike Solitaire, shuffle a standard deck of 52 cards. Deal out one row of seven cards, with only the first card face up. Continue dealing cards to each subsequent row, skipping one additional column each time, until you have placed all 28 cards on the Tableau. The remaining cards form the Stockpile.
Do You Flip 1 or 3 Cards in Klondike?
In Klondike Solitaire, you can choose between flipping one or three cards at a time from the Stockpile. The 3 Card Draw draw is the more challenging version, as you can only play the top card of the trio, while the one card version is simpler and more forgiving.
