How to play Klondike Solitaire
The goal is to move all 52 cards onto the four foundations at the top right, building each suit in order from Ace up to King.
Moving cards
- Tap a card to pick it up, then tap where you want it to go.
- Tap the same card twice and it moves to the best place on its own — up to its suit pile if it can.
- To move a run of cards, pick up the top card of the run you want to move.
The layout
- Tableau: the seven columns. Build them down in alternating colors — a red 9 on a black 10, for example.
- Stock and waste: tap the stock to turn up cards. The top card of the waste can always be played.
- Empty columns: only a King, or a run that starts with a King, can fill an empty column.
Tips
- Turn over face-down cards whenever you can — they hide the cards you need.
- Don't empty a column unless you have a King ready to move into it.
- Move Aces and Twos to the foundations as soon as they appear.
Questions
Can every deal be won?
No. Some Klondike deals can't be solved however you play them. If you're stuck, start a new deal. Your record (under Settings) counts it as played but not won, and every good player has plenty of those.
What's the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
Draw 1 turns over one card at a time and is the easier game. Draw 3 turns over three, and only the top one can be played. Change it any time in Settings.
Is my game saved?
Yes. Your game is saved automatically in this browser, so you can close the page and come back later on the same device.
What is the deal number?
Every deal has a number, and the same number always gives the same cards. Bookmark the page or share the link to play a deal again — or try today's deal, which is the same for everyone.
Learn more
- How to Win More Games of Klondike SolitaireTwelve practical tips for winning more Klondike solitaire games: which cards to free first, when to fill an empty column and how to play Draw 3.
- Where Our Favorite Games Came FromThe stories behind five classic games: patience in old Europe, solitaire on Windows, Mahjong on a 1980s computer, and Sudoku and word search in America.
- Which Solitaire Game Should You Play? A Guide to Seven ClassicsA friendly guide to seven kinds of solitaire: Klondike, Yukon, FreeCell, Spider, Pyramid, TriPeaks and Golf. How each plays, how hard it is, and where to start.