Klondike Solitaire - The Classic Card Game

Klondike Solitaire is the most popular solitaire card game in the world. Also known simply as "Solitaire" or "Patience," this single-player card game has entertained millions since its inclusion in Microsoft Windows in 1990. Play free Klondike Solitaire online with no download required.

How to Play Klondike Solitaire

The goal of Klondike Solitaire is to move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, organized by suit from Ace to King. Here's how to play:

Game Setup

• Tableau: Seven columns of cards are dealt, with the first column containing one card, the second containing two cards, and so on. Only the top card of each column is face-up.
• Stock Pile: The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile, located in the upper-left corner.
• Foundation Piles: Four empty piles where you build each suit from Ace to King.

Rules and Moves

• Building on Tableau: Stack cards in descending order with alternating colors. For example, place a red 6 on a black 7.
• Moving to Foundation: Move Aces to foundation piles first, then build up by suit (A, 2, 3... K).
• Using the Stock: Click the stock pile to draw cards to the waste pile. Move playable cards from waste to tableau or foundation.
• Moving Sequences: You can move multiple cards at once if they form a valid descending sequence with alternating colors.
• Empty Columns: Only Kings (or sequences starting with a King) can be placed in empty tableau columns.

Klondike Solitaire Tips and Strategy

• Expose hidden cards: Prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards in the tableau.
• Don't empty columns without a King: Empty columns can only be filled with Kings, so plan accordingly.
• Use the undo button: Made a mistake? Use undo to try different moves.
• Build foundations evenly: Try to keep foundation piles at similar levels to maintain flexibility.
• Think ahead: Consider how each move affects your future options before playing.

Features of Our Free Online Solitaire

• No download required: Play instantly in your web browser on desktop or mobile.
• Unlimited free games: Start a new game anytime with a fresh shuffle.
• Hint system: Stuck? Click the Hint button for suggested moves.
• Undo moves: Take back moves to try different strategies.
• Statistics tracking: Track your wins, best times, and winning streaks.
• Mobile friendly: Optimized touch controls for phones and tablets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every game of Klondike Solitaire winnable?

No, not every deal is winnable. Studies suggest approximately 79-82% of Klondike Solitaire games can be won with perfect play. The random shuffle means some games are unwinnable from the start.

What's the difference between Klondike and other solitaire games?

Klondike is the classic version with seven tableau columns and drawing from a stock pile. Other variants include Spider Solitaire (using two decks with eight tableau columns), FreeCell (with four free cells for temporary storage), and Pyramid (matching cards that sum to 13).

How is the score calculated?

You earn points for moving cards to the foundation and revealing face-down cards. Faster completion times result in bonus points. Using hints or undo doesn't affect your score.