Solitaire Rules

Rules at a glance

• Deal seven tableau columns with only the top card face up.
• Build tableau stacks downward by rank, alternating red and black suits.
• Move Aces to the foundations, then build each suit up to King.
• Use the stock and waste pile in Turn 1 or Turn 3 mode.
• Empty tableau spaces may only be filled with a King or a stack starting with a King.
• Win by moving all 52 cards to the four foundations.

Solitaire setup

Klondike Solitaire uses one standard 52-card deck. The board has four areas: tableau, stock, waste, and foundations.

Tableau

Seven columns where most moves happen. Column 1 has one card, column 2 has two, and so on through column 7. Only the top card starts face up.

Stock

The face-down draw pile in the upper left. Click it to reveal new cards into the waste pile.

Waste

The face-up pile beside the stock. Only the top waste card is playable.

Foundations

Four goal piles, one for each suit. Build each foundation from Ace up to King.

How to play Solitaire

1. Look for Aces and move them to empty foundations.
2. Build tableau columns downward by rank, alternating red and black cards.
3. Move face-up stacks together when the whole stack follows the descending, alternating-color rule.
4. When a tableau move uncovers a face-down card, turn that card face up.
5. Draw from the stock when no useful tableau or foundation move is available.
6. Fill empty tableau columns only with a King or a stack that starts with a King.
7. Win by moving all 52 cards to the four foundations.

Legal moves

In the tableau, cards move downward by rank and must alternate color: a red 8 may go on a black 9, a black queen may go on a red king, and so on. Empty tableau spaces can only receive a King or a stack that starts with a King.

Foundations start with Aces. Each foundation accepts only one suit and builds upward: Ace, 2, 3, all the way to King. Move all 52 cards to the foundations to win.

Stock, waste, Turn 1, and Turn 3

Draw from the stock into the waste pile. In Turn 1 mode, one card is revealed at a time. In Turn 3 mode, three cards are revealed and only the top waste card is playable. When the stock is empty, recycle the waste pile and continue.

Turn 1 is better for beginners because every stock card becomes available one at a time. Turn 3 is harder because two cards in each draw can stay blocked under the top waste card until later passes through the stock.

For a focused comparison, read Turn 1 vs Turn 3 Solitaire.

Basic strategy while learning

The best early moves usually reveal hidden tableau cards. A move that opens a face-down card gives you more information and more possible moves than a move that only shifts visible cards around.

Move Aces and 2s to foundations early, but be more careful with middle cards. Sometimes a 5 or 6 is still needed to build a tableau sequence. Read the Solitaire strategy guide for practical examples.

FAQ

What is the goal of Klondike Solitaire?

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles. Each foundation starts with an Ace and builds upward by suit to King.

How do tableau columns work?

The tableau has seven columns. You build downward by rank in alternating colors, such as a black 9 on a red 10. Moving cards can reveal face-down cards underneath.

What can go in an empty tableau column?

Only a King can fill an empty tableau column, either by itself or as the first card in a valid face-up stack.

What is the difference between Turn 1 and Turn 3?

Turn 1 draws one stock card at a time and is easier to learn. Turn 3 draws three cards at a time and only the top waste card is playable, so it requires more planning.

Can I move cards back from the foundation?

On Classic Deck Games you can move a foundation card back to the tableau when it makes a legal descending, alternating-color move. This can help unblock a sequence.

When is Solitaire won?

You win when every card is on the foundations, sorted by suit from Ace through King.