Play classic Solitaire, also known as Klondike or Patience. Build descending alternating-color sequences on the tableau, uncover hidden cards, and move every suit to the foundations from Ace to King. Choose Draw 1 for a more flexible game or Draw 3 for a tougher challenge.
How to Play Solitaire
The goal is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles. Each foundation belongs to one suit and must be built upward from Ace to King. Most of the game happens in seven tableau columns, where face-up cards are arranged in descending rank while alternating between red and black.
- Build down on the tableau. Place a red card on the next-higher black card, or a black card on the next-higher red card. For example, a red 8 can go on a black 9.
- Reveal face-down cards. Move exposed cards or valid sequences to uncover hidden cards. Revealing new cards usually creates more options.
- Use empty columns carefully. Only a King, or a valid sequence starting with a King, can be moved into an empty tableau column.
- Build the foundations. Start each suit with its Ace, then add 2, 3, 4 and so on until the King.
- Use the stock when needed. Draw from the stock to reveal cards in the waste pile. In Draw 3, three cards are dealt at a time and only the exposed waste card is playable.
Solitaire Layout and Rules
| Area | Purpose | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| Tableau | Seven working columns | Build down in alternating colors. |
| Foundation | Four suit piles | Build each suit upward from Ace to King. |
| Stock | Undealt cards | Click or tap to draw 1 or 3 cards. |
| Waste | Cards drawn from stock | Only the exposed top card can be played. |
| Empty tableau | Open working space | Only a King or King-led sequence may enter. |
Draw 1 vs. Draw 3 Solitaire
Draw 1 turns over one stock card at a time, so it is easier to reach useful cards and is a good choice for beginners. Draw 3 turns over three stock cards at a time and exposes only the top card of that group. Because fewer stock cards are immediately accessible, Draw 3 usually requires more planning.
Solitaire Strategy
Prioritize hidden tableau cards
Moves that expose a face-down card are usually more valuable than cosmetic rearrangements. A newly revealed card can unlock several follow-up moves and reduce uncertainty.
Do not fill an empty column automatically
An empty tableau column is powerful because it can hold a King and an entire King-led sequence. Before moving a King, check which color or sequence is more likely to help uncover another hidden card.
Keep both colors available
Building too aggressively around one color can block future sequences. When there is a choice, consider which move preserves more red/black alternation options.
Use the foundation intelligently
Moving low cards to the foundation is often useful, especially Aces and 2s, but an advanced position can sometimes benefit from keeping a card available on the tableau. This game also allows legal moves back from a foundation to the tableau.
Use Undo as a planning tool
Undo is not only for mistakes. It can help compare two legal branches from the same position and learn which move reveals more useful cards.
Solitaire Controls
On desktop, drag cards or click a card and then its destination. Double-click an exposed card to send it to a legal foundation automatically. On phones and tablets, tap a playable card or sequence, then tap the destination. The board scales to fit narrow screens without requiring horizontal scrolling.
Keyboard shortcuts: U for Undo, H for Hint, N for a new deal, F for fullscreen, and Esc to close a dialog or clear a selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win Solitaire?
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles. Each foundation is built by suit in ascending order from Ace through King.
What is the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3 Solitaire?
Draw 1 reveals one card from the stock at a time. Draw 3 reveals three cards at a time, leaving only the exposed waste card playable. Draw 3 is generally more restrictive.
Can I put any card into an empty tableau column?
No. In classic Klondike, an empty tableau column can only receive a King or a valid descending alternating-color sequence that starts with a King.
Can I move more than one card at once?
Yes. A face-up tableau sequence can move together when it is already arranged in descending rank with alternating colors and the first card fits the destination.
Can a card move from the foundation back to the tableau?
Yes. The top card of a foundation may return to a legal tableau position. This can be useful when a needed tableau move is otherwise blocked.
Does this Solitaire game save my statistics?
Yes. Game totals and personal bests are stored locally in your browser. They are not tied to an account.