12 Solitaire Tips and Strategies: How to Win More Often with Solitaire (Klondike)

Solitaire Klondike is a simple game to learn but can be tricky to master. With these 12 effective solitaire tips and strategies, you’ll greatly improve your chances of winning. These strategies have been crafted after extensive research and countless games played. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, these insights will help take your game to the next level.

Klondike Solitaire Strategy Introduction

There is a core strategy to playing the game. Once you’re familiar with the Solitaire rules, these tips will enhance your gameplay significantly. The tips are not in a strict order, as some are more applicable to certain play styles or settings, such as whether you’re playing Solitaire with 1 or 3 Card Draws or how many times you're allowed to pass through the stockpile.

Tips to Win at Klondike Solitaire

• Play from the Waste Pile to the Tableau First: If you have the option to move a card from the Waste Pile to both the Foundation and the Tableau, always start by playing the card to the Tableau. This is a key tip, as it gives you more flexibility and an extra move later on. Plus, you’ll earn an additional 5 points by doing this.
• Move Aces to the Foundation Promptly: Always place Aces on the Foundation as soon as possible. However, if you can play the Ace to the Tableau first (for that extra 5 points), be sure to follow the first tip.
• Maximize Moves Between Tableau Rows Before Moving to the Foundation: Shift cards between rows on the Tableau as much as possible before moving them to the Foundation. This increases the number of face down cards you can reveal and adds flexibility to your game.
• Prioritize Opening New Cards on the Tableau: Your top priority should be to reveal new face down cards by clearing rows on the Tableau. The quicker you can expose hidden cards, the better your chances of winning.
• Play Tableau Cards Before Waste Pile Cards: If you have the choice between playing a card from the Tableau and one from the Waste Pile, always choose the Tableau card first. This helps in opening up new cards on the Tableau.
• Clear the Longest Row First: Focus on clearing the longest row on the Tableau first, typically row 7. However, if another row can be cleared or nearly cleared, prioritize that one instead. This helps reveal more cards and creates space for Kings.
• Use the Full Stockpile in Unlimited Reshuffle Versions: In games where you're allowed to reshuffle the stockpile as many times as you want, always go through the entire stockpile before playing any cards. This gives you valuable information and more options for your moves.
• Be Strategic When Playing Kings to Empty Rows: When you've cleared a row and the next card from the stockpile is a King, take a moment to evaluate your Tableau. If you already have a Queen of the same colour at the bottom of another row, it might be wiser to wait and play a King of the opposite colour later.
• Build Foundation Stacks Proportionally: Avoid focusing on building one foundation stack too far ahead of the others. If you concentrate on just one stack, you may run into difficulties later in the game. Balanced building gives you more flexibility.
• Alternate Colours in Tableau Rows: When building rows on the Tableau, always alternate the colours of the cards. This creates more opportunities for future moves and increases the chances of revealing more face down cards.
• Limit Rows to Two Suits: Whenever possible, try to limit each row on the Tableau to two suits. For instance, use Diamonds and Clubs in one row and Hearts and Spades in another. This won't always be feasible, but when you can manage it, it significantly increases your odds of winning. It also makes your game cleaner and more structured, which can lead to better outcomes.
• Don’t Rush to Move Cards to the Foundation: While it might be tempting to move cards to the Foundation as soon as possible, try to delay this move unless it’s an Ace or essential to free up space. Keeping more cards in play on the Tableau gives you flexibility for future moves and can open up more strategic options. This way, you can maximize your ability to reveal face down cards and maintain control over the game’s progression.