How to Play Solitaire: Complete Guide with 15+ Variations [2025]

Introduction

Solitaire is the world's most popular single-player card game, with over 500 million people playing it regularly. Whether you know it as Klondike, Patience, or simply "that card game on every computer," solitaire offers endless entertainment and mental stimulation.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about playing solitaire, from basic Klondike Solitaire rules to 15+ popular variations. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to expand your solitaire knowledge, you'll find clear instructions, winning strategies, and expert tips to master this timeless card game.

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What is Solitaire?

Solitaire is a single-player card game where the objective is to arrange all cards in specific sequences or patterns. The most common version, Klondike Solitaire, involves moving cards to build four foundation piles in ascending order from Ace to King, separated by suit.

Key Solitaire Facts:

- Players: 1 (single-player game)

- Deck: Standard 52-card deck

- Objective: Arrange all cards in foundation piles

- Average Game Time: 5-15 minutes

- Win Rate: 30-40% for experienced players

- Skills Required: Pattern Recognition, Strategic Planning, Patience

How to Play Klondike Solitaire: Step-by-Step Rules

Klondike Solitaire is the classic version most people know. Here are the complete rules:

Game Setup

1. Deal the Tableau: Create 7 columns of cards

- 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)

1. Remaining Cards: Place the remaining 24 cards face-down as the stock pile

1. Foundation Areas: Reserve space for 4 foundation piles (initially empty)

Basic Gameplay Rules

| Action | Rule | Example |

|--------|------|---------|

| Tableau Building | Build down in alternating colors | Red 6 on Black 7, Black 5 on Red 6 |

| Foundation Building | Build up by suit from Ace to King | A♠, 2♠, 3♠, 4♠... K♠ |

| Moving Sequences | Move connected sequences together | Black 5, Red 4, Black 3 as one unit |

| Empty Columns | Only Kings can start empty columns | Place any King in empty space |

| Stock Pile | Draw 1 or 3 cards to waste pile | Cycle through when exhausted |

How to Win Solitaire

Victory Condition: Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, arranged by suit from Ace to King. Step-by-Step Victory Process:

1. Build foundation piles: A♠-K♠, A♥-K♥, A♦-K♦, A♣-K♣
2. Use tableau columns to temporarily arrange cards
3. Reveal face-down cards by removing cards above them
4. Utilize the stock pile when no tableau moves are available

15+ Popular Solitaire Variations

Beyond Klondike, there are hundreds of solitaire variations. Here are the 15 most popular types:

1. Spider Solitaire

Setup: 10 columns, 54 cards in tableau, 50 cards in stock Objective: Build 8 complete sequences from King to Ace Difficulty: Hard Win Rate: 15-20% Key Rules:

- Build down regardless of suit in tableau

- Complete sequences (K-A) are automatically removed

- Deal 10 new cards when no moves available

2. FreeCell Solitaire

Setup: 8 columns, all cards face-up, 4 free cells Objective: Build foundation piles Ace to King by suit Difficulty: Medium Win Rate: 99% (almost all games are winnable) Key Rules:

- All cards visible from start

- Use free cells to temporarily store cards

- Build down by alternating colors in tableau

3. Pyramid Solitaire

Setup: 28 cards in pyramid formation, 24 in stock Objective: Remove all cards by pairing cards that sum to 13 Difficulty: Medium Win Rate: 25-30% Card Values for Pairing:

- Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13 (removed alone)

- Examples: Ace + Queen, 5 + 8, 6 + 7

4. TriPeaks Solitaire

Setup: 18 cards in three peaks, 28 in stock Objective: Remove all cards from peaks Difficulty: Easy-Medium Win Rate: 40-50% Key Rules:

- Remove cards one rank higher or lower than waste pile top card

- Ace connects to King and 2

- Clear all three peaks to win

5. Golf Solitaire

Setup: 7 columns of 5 cards each, 17 in stock Objective: Remove all tableau cards Difficulty: Easy Win Rate: 60-70%

6-15. Additional Popular Variations

| Variation | Difficulty | Win Rate | Key Feature |

|-----------|------------|----------|-------------|

| Forty Thieves | Very Hard | 5-10% | Two decks, 10 columns |

| Yukon | Medium | 30-35% | All cards face-up |

| Canfield | Hard | 20-25% | 13-card reserve pile |

| Accordion | Very Hard | <5% | Compress to one pile |

| Clock | Easy | 8% | Cards arranged like clock |

| Scorpion | Hard | 15% | Build in-suit sequences |

| Baker's Game | Hard | 75% | FreeCell variant, build by suit |

| Little Spider | Medium | 45% | Eight foundation piles |

| Cruel | Hard | 20% | No stock pile |

| Seahaven Towers | Medium | 85% | FreeCell with 4 free cells |

Essential Solitaire Strategies

Master these strategies to significantly improve your win rate:

1. Prioritize Foundation Building

Rule: Always move Aces and 2s to foundations immediately Reason: These cards have no downside and free up tableau space Exception: Keep Aces in tableau only if needed to build sequences

2. Reveal Hidden Cards First

Strategy: Focus on moves that turn over face-down cards Impact: Each revealed card provides new opportunities Priority Order:

1. Moves that reveal cards
2. Moves to foundations
3. Moves within tableau

3. Manage Empty Columns Wisely

Best Practice: Keep empty columns for Kings only Advanced Tip: Don't fill empty columns unless you have a clear plan Strategic Use: Use empty columns to rearrange long sequences

4. Plan Multiple Moves Ahead

Technique: Before moving, visualize the next 2-3 moves Benefits: Avoid creating dead-end situations Focus Areas: Sequence building and card access

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Solitaire and Klondike?

Solitaire is the general term for single-player card games, while Klondike is the specific variation most people know as "solitaire." Klondike is just one of hundreds of solitaire variations, but it's the most popular.

Can you move multiple cards at once in solitaire?

Yes, in Klondike Solitaire you can move sequences of cards that are properly arranged (alternating colors, descending order) as a single unit. However, you can only move to foundations one card at a time.

What percentage of solitaire games are winnable?

In Klondike Solitaire, approximately 79% of games are theoretically winnable with perfect play, but the average player wins only 30-40% of games. FreeCell has the highest win rate at 99%, while variations like Accordion have win rates below 5%.

Should I draw 1 card or 3 cards from the stock pile?

Drawing 1 card (Turn 1) is easier and has a higher win rate, while drawing 3 cards (Turn 3) is more challenging. Turn 1 is better for beginners, while Turn 3 provides greater challenge for experienced players.

Cognitive Benefits of Playing Solitaire

Regular solitaire play offers several mental health benefits:

Mental Stimulation

- Problem-Solving: Each game presents unique challenges

- Strategic Planning: Planning multiple moves ahead

- Pattern Recognition: Identifying card sequences and opportunities

- Memory Enhancement: Remembering card locations and previous moves

Stress Relief

- Meditative Qualities: Repetitive, focused activity calms the mind

- Achievement Satisfaction: Completing games provides dopamine release

- Low-Pressure Environment: No opponents or time pressure

- Mental Break: Provides healthy distraction from daily stressors

Conclusion

Solitaire remains one of the world's most beloved card games because it combines simple rules with deep strategy, offering endless entertainment for players of all skill levels. Whether you prefer the classic Klondike variation or want to explore more challenging versions like Spider or FreeCell, mastering solitaire provides both mental stimulation and relaxation.

The key to improving your solitaire skills lies in understanding the fundamental strategies: prioritizing foundation building, revealing hidden cards, managing empty columns wisely, and planning multiple moves ahead. With practice, these concepts become second nature, dramatically improving your win rate and enjoyment.

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