Play Klondike Solitaire Free Online

Klondike Solitaire

Klondike is the world's most popular solitaire card game and the version most people simply call "Solitaire." Deal 28 cards into seven cascading tableau columns, then move cards in alternating-color descending sequences to uncover hidden cards and build four foundation piles from Ace to King. With a draw-one stock pile by default, Klondike balances accessibility with strategic depth — easy enough for beginners yet endlessly engaging for experts.

How to Play Klondike Solitaire

Layout

28 cards are dealt into 7 tableau columns (1 card in the first column, 2 in the second, up to 7 in the last). Only the top card in each column is face-up. The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile. Four empty foundation piles sit at the top.

Objective

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, building each from Ace to King by suit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Look for any Aces on the tableau — move them to a foundation pile immediately.
2. Build on tableau columns in descending order with alternating colors (e.g. black 6 on red 7).
3. Click the stock pile to draw cards (1 or 3 at a time depending on the variant) to the waste pile.
4. Play the top waste pile card onto tableau columns or foundations if it fits.
5. When you uncover a face-down card, it flips face-up automatically.
6. Move Kings (with their stacks) into empty tableau columns.
7. Build foundations up by suit: Ace, 2, 3 … Queen, King.
8. Win when all four foundations are complete (Ace through King in each suit).

Klondike Guides & Strategy

Read our in-depth guides to master the rules and improve your win rate.

Klondike Variations

Why Play Klondike Solitaire Online?

Klondike is the world's most popular solitaire game — the one most people simply call "Solitaire." Playing online at Solitaire.fyi gives you unlimited undos, smart hints, and automatic win detection that physical cards can't match. With Turn 1 and Turn 3 variants, plus Vegas scoring, there's always a new challenge.

Game Features

• Draw 1 or 3 Mode — Choose your preferred stock pile difficulty
• Unlimited Undo — Reverse any move to try different strategies
• Auto-Complete — Cards fly to foundations once the game is clearly won
• Smart Hints — Get move suggestions when you're stuck
• Statistics Tracking — Track win rate, best time, and longest streak
• Mobile Touch Controls — Drag cards or tap to auto-move on any device

Klondike Tips and Strategies

Always prioritize uncovering face-down cards over building lengthy tableau sequences. Move Aces and 2s to foundations immediately, but keep higher cards available for tableau building. Empty columns should be filled with Kings first to maximize available moves. Cycle through the stock pile carefully — track which cards you've already passed.

Klondike Solitaire Rules

Scoring System

In Klondike, moving a card from the waste pile to a tableau pile earns 5 points. Placing a card on a foundation scores 10 points. Turning over a face-down tableau card earns 5 points. Recycling the waste pile in Turn-1 costs -100 points. In Vegas scoring, you pay $52 for the deck and earn $5 per foundation card — the goal is to profit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake in Klondike is moving cards to foundations too early. Keep low cards available for building tableau sequences. Avoid emptying columns unless you have a King ready to fill the space. In Turn 3, plan three cards ahead since you can only access every third card in the waste pile.

Klondike Solitaire — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Klondike Solitaire.

History of Klondike Solitaire

Klondike Solitaire traces its name to the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s in the Yukon Territory, where prospectors played the game during long winter evenings. It became the world's most recognized solitaire variant when Microsoft bundled it with Windows 3.0 in 1990, originally designed to teach mouse drag-and-drop skills. By some estimates, more hours have been spent playing Klondike on Windows than any other computer game in history. The digital version transformed solitaire from a physical card activity into a global phenomenon.

Cognitive Benefits of Klondike

Klondike Solitaire exercises sequential planning and risk assessment. Deciding when to draw from the stock versus rearranging the tableau builds decision-making skills under uncertainty. Studies suggest regular card game play helps maintain working memory and attention span, making Klondike an enjoyable way to keep your mind sharp.