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Klondike Solitaire

A Quick Guide

  • Klondike Solitaire uses 52 cards without jokers.

    Klondike Solitaire uses 52 cards without jokers.

  • The goal of the game is to organize cards in the Foundation in ascending order.

    The goal of the game is to organize cards in the Foundation in ascending order.

  • Reveal face-down cards in the Tableau by organizing the face-up cards in descending order and alternating colors.

    Reveal face-down cards in the Tableau by organizing the face-up cards in descending order and alternating colors.

  • You can move a single card or multiple cards at a time within the Tableau.

    You can move a single card or multiple cards at a time within the Tableau.

  • Draw cards from the Stockpile one at a time to use in the Tableau.

    Draw cards from the Stockpile one at a time to use in the Tableau.

Enter The Nostalgic Realm of Klondike Solitaire

Klondike Solitaire nourishes you with mental and cognitive stimulation. For over a century, Klondike has been more than just a solution to end boredom — it has been a source of refreshing entertainment. The game can potentially rewire your brain to work at a greater intensity.

Playing Klondike can improve your mental proficiency. Life is full of difficult problems, like complex work issues and relationship disputes. But a game like Klondike Solitaire lets you exercise your mind, improving your problem-solving abilities in a way that extends far beyond the deck of cards.

Most often, it’s impossible to solve life problems with a single solution, and Klondike Solitaire is a great reminder of the success you can achieve when you creatively strategize a variety of solutions

Spark your mental capabilities with Klondike Solitaire, a game built to stretch the performance of your intellect.

Are you ready to explore?

Playing Klondike Solitaire — The Layout

Klondike Solitaire requires a shuffled standard deck of cards. (The Jokers sit this one out.) There are four main areas in the Solitaire layout: the Tableau, Foundation, Stockpile, and Wastepile. The goal is to arrange the cards in the Foundation according to their respective suits by deconstructing the Tableau.

  • 1.The Tableau

    The main cards you will play with are neatly stacked in the Tableau. The Tableau contains seven columns of 28 cards in an ascending number from left to right. The cards are dealt face-down, but then the last card in every column is turned face-up and is ready to move. A complete Tableau setup will have one card in the first column, two in the second, and so forth. The seventh column will have seven cards.

    The Tableau

  • 2.The Stockpile

    All of the remaining 24 cards go into the Stockpile after the Tableau is built. The Stockpile cards are all placed face-down. This hidden trove of treasure is available to use throughout the game anytime you are stuck. But don’t get too caught up in flipping through your Stockpile — remember that these secret treasures are valuable only in small quantities.

    The Stockpile

  • 3.The Waste Pile

    The purpose of the Wastepile is simple yet tricky. It holds the cards revealed from the Stockpile that you don’t need, but you can only access its most recent card. If you want to access a card that you had in the Wastepile on a previous draw, first use the card above it. Once the cards from the Stockpile are over, the Wastepile is turned over onto the Stockpile area to continue playing.

    The Waste Pile

  • 4.The Foundation

    The Foundation area has four free spaces to host your complete suits. Complete with an online digital setup, our Klondike Solitaire game features super interactive and intuitive gameplay. We’ve also made moving cards incredibly easy with click-and-drag capabilities.

    The Foundation

The Complete and Original Version of Solitaire

Klondike Solitaire gives you a foundational understanding of all the Solitaire variants. Our minimalistic and soothing interface completes the experience.

King of the Solitaire

Unveil Your Strategic Side

  • 1.The goal of the game is to move all cards to the Foundation piles to win. Start at the Ace and begin moving cards from the Tableau to the Foundation. The Foundation is piled in ascending order from the Ace to the suit’s King. The quicker you move cards to the Foundation, the closer you are to winning, but there’s a catch! Once a card is buried in the Foundation, it cannot be retrieved for use in the Tableau unless you release the card(s) on top of it. Therefore, be wise with your moves.

    The goal of the game is to move all cards to the Foundation piles to win. Start at the Ace and begin moving cards from the Tableau to the Foundation. The Foundation is piled in ascending order from the Ace to the suit’s King. The quicker you move cards to the Foundation, the closer you are to winning, but there’s a catch! Once a card is buried in the Foundation, it cannot be retrieved for use in the Tableau unless you release the card(s) on top of it. Therefore, be wise with your moves.

  • 2.The cards in the Tableau are your biggest challenge. Why? Because you have to reveal the face-down cards in the columns and move them to the Foundation. While this sounds like a breeze, it’s actually quite the challenge! You can only access a face-down card after you move a face-up one. Move cards between columns face-up under other cards in descending order and alternating colors. If you think your brain is going to get just a little workout, think again — this challenge can seriously stretch your mind! In the end, you’ll realize why Klondike Solitaire has survived decades of gaming.

    The cards in the Tableau are your biggest challenge. Why? Because you have to reveal the face-down cards in the columns and move them to the Foundation. While this sounds like a breeze, it’s actually quite the challenge! You can only access a face-down card after you move a face-up one. Move cards between columns face-up under other cards in descending order and alternating colors. If you think your brain is going to get just a little workout, think again — this challenge can seriously stretch your mind! In the end, you’ll realize why Klondike Solitaire has survived decades of gaming.

  • 3.Stuck? Reach into your Stockpile for a possible fix. The mystery of the Stockpile is impossible to decipher unless you turn a card. Either this card will make you want to fist-bump the air, or you’ll send it straight into the Wastepile. Cards from the Stockpile can be moved to the columns or directly into the Foundation. But just because you can move it to the Foundation, does that mean you should? Maybe not! Moving more than three cards into their corresponding suit in the Foundation could block future moves, so watch out.

    Stuck? Reach into your Stockpile for a possible fix. The mystery of the Stockpile is impossible to decipher unless you turn a card. Either this card will make you want to fist-bump the air, or you’ll send it straight into the Wastepile. Cards from the Stockpile can be moved to the columns or directly into the Foundation. But just because you can move it to the Foundation, does that mean you should? Maybe not! Moving more than three cards into their corresponding suit in the Foundation could block future moves, so watch out.

The Challenge

Organize cards on the Tableau in their respective suits, in alternating colors, AND in descending order.

King of the Solitaire

Light-Bulb Tip!

We boast a Solitaire game haven like no other. Complete with HINT and UNDO buttons, you can enjoy a soothing yet invigorating experience.

For the Love of Keyboard Shortcuts

Whoever says that keyboard gaming is outdated doesn’t appreciate its perks. We do! So here are some shortcuts for Windows and Apple computers.

Let’s get typing!

Windows

  • Undo:
    Ctr
    +
    Z
    or
    Backspace
  • Hint:
    H
  • Navigate:
  • Select:
    Space
    (once)
  • Move:
    Space
    in the new spot

Mac

  • Undo:
    delete
    or
  • Hint:
    H
  • Navigate:
  • Select:
    Space
    (once)
  • Move:
    Space
    in the new spot

Begin Playing and Start Mentally Evolving

Klondike Solitaire will change the way you think! With regular gameplay, go from being an average problem solver to a troubleshooting superstar.

Winning Tips and Quirky Tricks

  • You Don’t Have to Move Your Aces

    While moving cards to the Foundation is the main goal of the game, it can help to avoid moving any cards there at all. It’s instinctive to move your Aces to the Foundation once you’re familiar with the game. However, holding off on moving any cards to the Foundation will keep you focused on the Tableau arrangement. Move your Ace only when needed.

  • Focus on All The Suits

    When playing, focus on all the suits. In fact, forget the suit and focus on the colors and values. This strategy will keep you grounded in the game without isolating a single suit.

  • Focus on Flipping Cards

    If you had a choice between moving a stack of cards to a column or flipping a face-down card, always choose to flip. This choice will help you unveil new cards rather than drawing from the Stockpile.

  • Leave Open Columns Alone

    If there are no cards to reveal in a column, don’t prioritize moving the stack to another column. Instead, keep your efforts trained on revealing face-down cards.

  • More Than Just A Game

    Our Klondike Solitaire is built for the relaxation and focus experience of every player. Our HINT and UNDO buttons also keep the environment stress-free.

  • Did you know?

    Klondike is also called Canfield in America because it was a gambling game in the Canfield Casino.

  • Fun Fact!

    Microsoft developed Solitaire to help people learn how to use a mouse by developing muscle memory.

  • Fun Fact!

    You can complete a Solitaire game in 52 moves — one for each card.

    52

  • Did you know?

    Microsoft’s credit for developing the first digital version of Solitaire goes to a humble intern, Wes Cherry.

  • Did you know?

    In 2019, Solitaire was introduced into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

More Power to You!

We understand that playing Solitaire is not just about the game — it’s about the experience. Our platform is built to bring players to the heart of Solitaire. Your triumphs, challenges, and overall play experience drive our purpose. Let’s win together!

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