If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself enjoying a game of Solitaire on more than one occasion. It’s a classic pastime that not only offers relaxation but also mental stimulation. But, let’s face it – playing the same easy game over and over again can start to feel a bit monotonous. And while 80% of Solitaire games are winnable, I thrive on a challenge.
That’s where the real fun begins. Among the 500 variations of this timeless game, there are a few that truly put my skills to the test. Whether it’s navigating through the intricate webs of Spider Solitaire or tackling Yukon, these variants ensure that I always come back wanting to play the game even more. So, clear your mind and read attentively to know the ten most difficult Solitaire games that will spice up your experience!
Spider Solitaire
Spider Solitaire stands as a titan among Solitaire variants, known for its difficulty and unforgiving gameplay. Featuring a deck of cards totaling 104 cards, the game’s objective seems deceptively simple: constructing eight Foundation Piles, each beginning with an Ace and ending with a King. This game requires careful planning, and honestly, when I first saw its layout, I hit Alt+F4!
If you’ve been intimidated by Spider Solitaire (like I was initially), then fret not, as some rules unique to the game do make your life easier. Specifically, if you have no valid move left to play, then you draw ten cards from the Stock and place each on top of one pile, opening up many more options. Moreover, Spider can be made easier with 1 Suit (only Spades) and 2 Suit (only Spades and Hearts) variations – the fewer the suits, the easier the game.
Tips to Win
- Try to move cards from those columns that have fewer cards. By using empty piles to store cards, you can make the complicated layout simpler.
- Begin with cards of higher rank. If you begin with a low card, an Ace will end at the pile. A card cannot be stacked on top of an Ace. You can add additional cards if you begin with higher cards.
- In Spider Solitaire, Kings are extremely tough to deal with. Since they form the base of the sequences, it’s hard to access cards beneath them. The strategy is to either move them to an empty spot or finish their sequence first.
Yukon Solitaire
With winning statistics of 12%, Yukon Solitaire offers a twist on the classic game of Solitaire, presenting players with a set of challenges. I went in, thinking the game was easy, seeing how you only need to make four Foundation piles like usual; however, there is no Stock, which makes it difficult for even experienced players. Hence, this variant not only requires strategic thinking but also foresight.
I recall my first time playing: I genuinely struggled due to the absence of a Stock! But then, I found out about the ‘Super Move’ rule (thankfully), which allows players to move cards as long as the first card in the Pile is a rank lower or of the opposite color, regardless of the remaining cards form a sequence – this makes progression quite a bit easier. For me, Yukon isn’t just a game; it’s an immersive experience that tests my abilities to their fullest!
Tips to Win
- Since Aces are the first cards the Foundations start with, you should prioritize clearing as many of them as you can. Make room for them by moving cards underneath.
- Start by emptying the leftmost column, which only has one card at the beginning.
- Try to reveal all cards at the start of the game, as the more cards you’ll expose, the easier it will get for you to make the Foundation Piles.
FreeCell Solitaire
You may be surprised to see FreeCell Solitaire here as it is mostly played by beginners. However, the limited number of moves and the variety of choices make it a challenge for most players. The main objective is to make four suit-specific piles from Aces to Kings. However, the most important feature of this variant is the Free Cells, which store cards one at a time.
The Free Cells help players by holding cards, and this flexibility makes the game easier. When I started playing Solitaire with FreeCell, the game’s layout, along with the interplay between Tableau and Free Cells, made it confusing for me. But once I got the hang of it, the game really started to become fun, so give it a shot and be patient!
Tips to Win
- Do not move cards into the Free Cells until absolutely necessary, as it can cause confusion while moving the cards.
- Try concentrating on moves you can make to reveal the Aces, Twos, and Threes if they are in difficult-to-reach spots. This will help you build the Foundation Piles; otherwise, you risk running out of playable moves early in the game.
- Moving cards from columns with a lot of cards should be your top priority if you have a lot of possibilities on Tableau. By doing this, you can make room for the cards that you need to play with in order to proceed. This works especially well if you can fully empty a column to provide more room.
Pyramid Solitaire
Also known as King Tut or Tut’s Tomb, Pyramid Solitaire is considered one of the most challenging Solitaire variants. The primary goal is to remove cards that add up to 13 until the entire pyramid is no more. And while it may seem easy, the game requires strategic thinking to match these cards and clear the pyramid.
The unique layout of this Solitaire variant, which helps it stand out, is also what makes it interesting! The entire Tableau is arranged in the shape of a pyramid, and this intimidated me when I first played it. Trust me when I say that as the game progresses, the pyramid layout becomes increasingly complex, with fewer opportunities for matches. But don’t fret much, as you can get a hold of it with a few practice sessions.
Tips to Win
- Try to remove the cards evenly from the Pyramid on both sides. This will ensure that you do not complicate the layout even more!
- A King is equal to 13 and doesn’t require another match. Hence, you should always remove it whenever you get the chance to. Consider it a free card!
- Play from the Discard Pile instead of the Deck. This will allow you to play the useful card while revealing another card, helping you with another opportunity to form a pair.
TriPeaks Solitaire
Challenging players to conquer peaks, TriPeaks Solitaire offers a new twist on the traditional game of Solitaire. The entire layout of the game is in the form of three peaks, which players aim to clear. Once you clear these ‘peaks,’ you will win the game.
However, the hardest part I find about this Solitaire Variant is that players have to clear the three peaks in its gameplay. This requires planning and foresight, and for me, this is what the game depends upon as one move can either open up new possibilities or block all of my progress. Nevertheless, this game always tends to sharpen my skills with its difficult gameplay!
Tips to Win
- Building longer sequences will help you score more, helping you win the game.
- Uncover cards systematically in this game. Move from one row to another, as this ensures that players reveal more cards in each peak.
- To find more opportunities for moves, it is critical to uncover face-down cards as soon as you can.
Golf Solitaire
Mixing Golf with Solitaire, Golf Solitaire is another one of the 500 variants of Solitaire. The primary goal of this version is to transfer all cards from the seven columns in the Tableau to the Reserve Pile. It offers a unique challenge (a catch, for most), as the gameplay is quite different from the traditional one. Cards that can be transferred to the Pile are either one rank higher or lower than the topmost card.
The layout seems extremely simple, but remember that looks can be misleading. I thought that I only had to clear the Tableau by making sequences. But, I found out that there are limitations to reshuffling, making it get a place on this list. In addition, Aces and Kings are considered consecutive, which means that players can place an Ace on top of a King and vice versa!
Tips to Win
- In this game, empty Piles are essentially useless. Therefore, you should browse through the longer Piles to find additional cards.
- Count and memorize rejected cards. Do not rush to remove cards in extended sequences. For example, if you discard all of the Three and Fives, the Fours may get trapped and unable to be disposed of.
- Maintain a consistent playing routine. The easiest method to become acquainted with the game flow is to play it frequently.
Clock Solitaire
True to its name, Clock Solitaire has a layout in the shape of a clock face. The main aim is to place cards in their clockwise positions like Ace goes into the 1 O’Clock Pile, and so on. The game starts by placing 13 cards in a circle to represent a clock. One card in the center is for the Draw Pile, imitating a clock’s structure.
This game took me several tries to understand. Arranging cards while keeping the clock patterns in mind is incredibly difficult. With a 7.6% chance to win, the intimidating layout is enough to scare players, especially the newbies. Players need both patience and strategic thinking in order to succeed in this game.
Tips to Win
- This particular Solitaire variant requires patience and a good memory. Remember that you need to keep on remembering the clock layout while arranging the cards.
- Before starting the game, take five minutes and analyze Tableau to recognize any important move that you might miss if in a hurry.
- Unlike other games, which can be won due to strategic planning, this game mostly relies on luck. So, good luck!
Baker’s Dozen Solitaire
Baker’s Dozen Solitaire is a game that keeps all players on their toes, irrespective of their experience. Unlike most Solitaire games where cards can be moved freely in the Tableau, this Solitaire variant restricts players’ moves. The restricted moves make the game difficult but also more entertaining. Other than that, the objective is pretty simple – to fill four Foundation Piles.
At first, I was taken aback by its seemingly simple layout as compared to other Solitaire games on this list. However, as I began playing, I realized that its simplicity was just a mask. There have been so many times when I’ve had moments of frustration as I couldn’t find the right cards to uncover the hidden ones. These challenges ensure that I keep going back to this game for mental stimulation!
Tips to Win
- To maximize space, empty columns first and start with face cards like Kings and Queens.
- Place low cards, such as Aces and Deuces, in Foundations wherever feasible.
- Use vacant areas for storing cards. However, only do that if necessary, as it can get confusing otherwise.
Canfield Solitaire
Named after a Casino owner, Canfield Solitaire only has a 3% win rate! While the primary aim is easy, requiring players to build four Foundation Piles, the game is referred to as ‘Demon’ in the UK. After playing the game, I can say that it stands true to its name. Unlike traditional Solitaire where players have more flexibility in moving cards around the Tableau, Canfield Solitaire has restricted access to empty columns making the game more difficult!
With limited empty columns and restricted access to the Stock, this Solitaire variant offers a challenge to even experienced players. After a few tries, I found out that this game requires patience. Each and every move needs careful consideration. If you make one wrong move, you will be scratching your head, trying to make sense of the chaotic layout!
Tips to Win
- For you to succeed in this game, be sure you deal with the majority of the cards from the Stock.
- Try to construct as many openings as possible at the start of the game.
- Also, remember to create the Foundation Piles evenly. For example, playing a black 5 before you can locate the red 7s is a mistake, as finding these cards later on will be difficult.
Aces Up Solitaire
The objective of Aces Up Solitaire is to discard all cards from the four Tableau Piles to the Foundation. The catch is to leave the four Aces in the Tableau Piles, as they are of the highest rank. The rules of this Solitaire variant are difficult, but once I understood them, I found the game to be pretty simple – just a little tough to learn.
In this variant, Aces count higher than Kings, and they are not to be removed. The sequence goes A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. This unique hierarchy adds extra complexity to the game, and it is also what made me quit the game when I was new to it!
Tips to Win
- Prioritize removing cards that are blocking the Aces in the Tableau. This ensures that your Aces are accessible at the start and gives you more opportunities for moves.
- Try to fill empty spaces with any available card. This way, you can easily navigate through the layout and find opportunities for new moves.
- Remove cards of lower values. For instance, if Tableau has 4 of Hearts and 7 of Hearts, discard 4 of Hearts.
What Makes a Solitaire Game Difficult?
Now that you know the challenging Solitaire games, you might be wondering about the factors that determine a game’s difficulty. Here are four factors that you should see before deciding whether to play a Solitaire game or not (in case it’s difficult!):
Scoring System
Solitaire games that have a scoring system are considered more difficult as they have two goals – the main one, which is mostly building Foundation Piles, and the secondary one, which is to score more points. For example, a game may demand participants to maximize points while attempting to win, adding a new level of difficulty to the whole process.
Variability
Some games are quite simple and predictable, while others have random components that present new difficulties each time the game is played. For instance, in Clock Solitaire, players have to put cards in respect to positions on the Clock, making it more difficult than regular Solitaire!
Rules
Some Solitaire games have more rules than others, making them more complicated! These rules vary from limiting the number of moves to reshuffling. In some cases, like TriPeaks Solitaire, there is also a limitation of time, making the game even more challenging. These rules make the games difficult to master.
Luck
I think that luck isn’t in our hands, and you might agree. A game that is mainly reliant on luck and allows little option for strategic decisions may be deemed more challenging, as the outcome is largely unpredictable. Experienced players might also lose a game that is mostly luck-based, such as Clock Solitaire.
| Factor | Description |
| Scoring System | Achieving a high score makes it difficult for players to focus on the main game |
| Variability | Some features add difficulty and make players struggle |
| Rules | The more rules, the more limited moves a player can make |
| Luck | Some games depend more on luck rather than strategic thinking |
Conclusion
Playing Solitaire might be your passion, but it’s good to shake things up a bit once in a while. I tend to enjoy games more when they push my skills to the limit. Trust me, it’s a whole new level of excitement. So try out these difficult Solitaire variants, which always make me question my skills. But, if you prefer the comfort of the classic version, you can stay away from these variants (no judgements here!).
