How to Play Klondike Solitaire: Rules, Setup, and Winning Strategies
Klondike is the classic solitaire game you probably grew up playing—whether on a rainy afternoon with a physical deck or on your computer during a slow workday. If you’ve ever wondered about the exact rules or wanted to improve your win rate, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Klondike Solitaire?
Klondike solitaire is a single-player card game where the goal is to move all 52 cards onto four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. It’s the version most people mean when they simply say “solitaire.”
The game uses one standard 52-card deck and combines skill with luck—about 80% of games are theoretically winnable, though the average player wins closer to 30% of the time.
Klondike Solitaire Setup
The game begins with 28 cards dealt into seven columns called the tableau:
- Column 1: 1 card (face up)
- Column 2: 2 cards (1 face down, 1 face up)
- Column 3: 3 cards (2 face down, 1 face up)
- Column 4: 4 cards (3 face down, 1 face up)
- Column 5: 5 cards (4 face down, 1 face up)
- Column 6: 6 cards (5 face down, 1 face up)
- Column 7: 7 cards (6 face down, 1 face up)
The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile (draw pile). Next to the tableau, you’ll have space for four foundation piles—one for each suit.
The image above shows a game in progress with all areas labeled:
- Stock Pile (top left): Click to draw cards
- Waste Pile (next to stock): Cards drawn from the stock go here
- Foundation Piles (top right): Build up by suit from Ace to King
- Tableau (bottom): Seven columns where you build down by alternating colors
Klondike Solitaire Rules
Moving Cards in the Tableau
You can move cards between tableau columns following these rules:
- Descending order: Cards must be placed on cards one rank higher
- Alternating colors: Red cards go on black cards, and vice versa
- For example: A red 6 can be placed on a black 7
When you move a face-up card, the face-down card beneath it flips over and becomes playable.
Building the Foundations
Move cards to the foundation piles following these rules:
- Start with Aces: Each foundation pile begins with an Ace
- Same suit: Build up by suit (all Hearts, all Spades, etc.)
- Ascending order: Ace → 2 → 3 → … → Queen → King
Using the Stock Pile
When you can’t make any more moves:
- Draw cards from the stock pile to the waste pile
- Draw 1 or Draw 3: Traditional rules draw 3 cards at a time; Draw 1 is easier
- The top card of the waste pile is always playable
- When the stock is empty, flip the waste pile to create a new stock
Winning the Game
You win when all 52 cards are moved to the four foundation piles, with each pile containing a complete suit from Ace to King.
Klondike Solitaire Strategy Tips
1. Prioritize Revealing Face-Down Cards
Always make moves that flip over hidden cards. More visible cards means more options.
2. Don’t Empty Columns Without a King
Empty tableau columns can only be filled with Kings. Don’t create empty spaces unless you have a King ready to move.
3. Build Foundations Evenly
Avoid moving too many cards to foundations early. You might need those cards to move other tableau cards.
4. Think Before Moving Aces and Twos
Aces and Twos can always go to foundations immediately—they’ll never be needed for tableau building.
5. Choose Your King Carefully
When you have a choice of which King to move to an empty column, consider which one will help you access more face-down cards.
Klondike vs Other Solitaire Games
| Game | Difficulty | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Klondike | Medium | The classic—7 tableau columns, draw from stock |
| FreeCell | Easier | All cards visible; 4 free cells for temporary storage |
| Spider | Harder | Uses 2 decks; build sequences regardless of suit |
| Pyramid | Medium | Match cards that add up to 13 |
Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, put them into practice. Play Klondike solitaire now on ShuffleSolitaire—no download required, works on any device.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are dealt in Klondike solitaire?
28 cards are dealt to the tableau (7 columns), and 24 cards remain in the stock pile.
What percentage of Klondike solitaire games are winnable?
Studies suggest approximately 79-82% of Klondike games are theoretically winnable with perfect play. However, since you can’t see all cards, the practical win rate is much lower.
What’s the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
In Draw 1, you flip one card from the stock at a time. In Draw 3, you flip three cards but can only play the top one. Draw 1 is significantly easier.
Can any card go in an empty tableau column?
No—only Kings can be placed in empty tableau columns in Klondike solitaire.