Solitaire is a timeless classic, one that holds a special place in many people’s hearts. I use it as a much-needed escape amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. And, there’s no better way to unwind than by playing Klondike Solitaire. With a win probability of about 79%, Klondike Solitaire is remarkably easy, making it a game that even novices can enjoy.
When starting out, I was uncertain of what to expect. Yet, as soon as I began playing Klondike, I quickly realized how easy it actually is. For those seeking solace and relaxation, this Solitaire variant is ideal. So, grab a deck of cards and get ready to enter the world of Klondike.
The History and Evolution of Klondike Solitaire
As someone who is fond of history, I am fascinated by Klondike Solitaire’s origins. Believed to have originated in the late 18th century, it is one of 500 Solitaire variants. But, it didn’t gain widespread popularity until the Klondike ‘gold rush’ in the 19th century, when merchants would play this variant during their free time.
With the advent of personal computers, the game soon became something of a sensation. In 1990, when Microsoft included Klondike Solitaire in its system, the game reached a global audience. It has since become the most popular Solitaire variant. In fact, it is so famous that, even if you haven’t played Solitaire, I’m pretty sure that you’ve heard the name Klondike.
The Main Objective in Klondike Solitaire
Before playing a game, most players inquire about its main objective. Well, in Klondike’s case, the goal is both easy and straightforward. Indeed, I began to understand the objective when playing the game for the first time.
Klondike Solitaire’s objective is to build four foundation piles in ascending order from the cards available on the tableau. Each pile must start with an Ace and end with a King. As soon as you complete those four piles, you win the game.
Klondike Solitaire’s Setup
Although Klondike Solitaire is an easy game to play, you will still need to learn how to set it up. The following instructions will help you do so in just a minute or two:
- Shuffle a Deck of 52 cards.
- Lay out seven cards on the tableau. Each will serve as the start of your seven piles.
- The first column will only have one card.
- Now, move on to the second column.
- Place one more card in the second column, making it a total of two cards. The third Pile will contain three cards, the fourth will have four cards, and so on.
- Follow this continuous sequence until each column has the cards equal to the column number (e.g. the seventh column will have seven cards).
- Turn the top card on each pile face-up.
- Now, set the remaining cards aside; these make up the stock.
Play Klondike Solitaire Like a Pro
We are now ready to discuss how to play Klondike Solitaire. If you’re scared of learning new things, then you’re not alone. But, trust me, the game is easy to learn. I learned it in just a few tries. So, here’s how to play:
- Each foundation has to start with an Ace and end with a King. The four aces are like the foundations. So, first, try to move all Aces to the four foundation piles.
- You can also build cards on the tableau itself. The top face-up cards can be moved and sequences can be built.
- Cards can be moved if they rank lower than the top card. So, if you have a pile with a King on top, then you can move a Queen there because it is one rank lower, then a Jack, a Ten, and so on.
- You can also move sequences from one place to another if they follow a descending order. This helps players make space on the tableau for other cards and moves.
- When there are no more cards in a pile, the pile is empty. These empty piles can only be filled by a King or a group of cards starting with a King.
- If you feel like there are no moves left, then start going through the stock, one by one, and look for cards that can help you progress.
Four Tactics to Conquer Klondike Solitaire
Sometimes, even the easiest games can’t be won. When playing Klondike, there are, though, some tactics you can use to maximize your chances of success. Whenever you feel stuck, you can follow these tips and potentially untangle the game.
Focus on the Aces First
In Klondike, the foundation piles start with Aces. So, it’s no surprise that you should focus on them. In the beginning, I mistakenly directed my energy toward making sequences on the tableau. Little did I realize that this approach only complicates the layout.
It is essential to find all the Aces and move them onto the foundation piles because you can’t build sequences without them. If you do not have any Aces in your tableau, then you can continue to make sequences until you find them or cycle through the stock. This will free up space and help you start the foundation piles early in the game.
Build Foundations Evenly
One of Klondike’s strengths is its simple and easy-to-understand layout. As a newbie, I messed up this layout and made the game difficult for myself. Building uneven foundation piles will only complicate the layout and make it more chaotic.
Try to build your foundation piles as evenly as possible. This ensures that you don’t move cards into the pile that you might need to progress later in the game.
Avoid Creating Excessive Empty Spaces
You might be thinking that you should focus on creating empty spaces. But, this will only make the game more chaotic. I am saying this from experience. A space in Klondike can only be filled by a King or a sequence that begins with a King. This is an important rule to keep in mind.
So, don’t empty too many tableau piles. There is no advantage to doing so. In fact, you will only be blocking your moves or restricting your playing space. That said, you need at least one empty space to play a King from the stock. So, I will always try to create an empty pile at some point in the game.
Focus on Larger Sequences
At first, I used to make short sequences. This meant that I often used to lose in the beginning. Klondike Solitaire divides the bottom grid into columns of one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven cards, leaving just the highest card revealed. Try to reveal cards in longer sequences; this will make your work much easier.
Try to build long sequences and then move them to a foundation pile at once. This way, you have more cards to move about and are far less likely to get stuck. You also won’t have to deal with excess cards from the stock pile.
Klondike Solitaire Tricks in a Nutshell
Here is a table that summarizes the main tricks. You can skim over them any time; they will help you win at this game:
| Tactic | Description |
| Focus on the Aces first. | Foundation piles start with Aces, so try to move Aces to the piles at the beginning. |
| Build foundations evenly. | Building the foundations at the same time helps prevent the layout from getting chaotic. |
| Avoid creating excessive empty spaces. | Do not create too many excessive empty spaces since they can only be filled by Kings. One (maybe two) empty piles are enough to play a King from the stock. |
| Focus on longer sequences. | By creating longer sequences on the tableau, you will have more cards to move around. |
Conclusion
Many Solitaire variants aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Klondike Solitaire is, however, a variant that everyone will love. The layout is simple and the rules are easy to understand. I love playing it. There is a certain comfort in knowing that the game can be won with just a few tricks. So, if you’re still looking for a way to spend your free time, then try Klondike Solitaire’s unique gaming experience right now!
