Klondike is the solitaire: the game most people simply call “Solitaire.” Twenty-eight cards are dealt into seven tableau columns, and your mission is to untangle them — one careful move at a time — until all fifty-two cards sit on the foundations, from Ace to King.
Our version is built for calm, focused play: buttery-smooth card physics, one-tap auto moves, unlimited undo, and a gentle tutorial that teaches you the game in under a minute. No accounts, no timers you didn’t ask for.
How to Play Klondike Solitaire by Yourself
- Deal seven tableau columns: the first has 1 card, the last has 7. Only the top card of each column is face up.
- Build the tableau downward in alternating colors — a red 7 goes on a black 8.
- Tap or drag Aces to the foundations, then build each foundation upward by suit: Ace, 2, 3 … King.
- When a face-down card becomes uncovered, it flips face up automatically.
- Stuck? Tap the stock pile to draw a new card into the waste, and play from there.
- You win when all four foundations are complete, Ace through King.
Rules of Klondike Solitaire
- Tableau piles build down in alternating colors (red on black, black on red).
- Any face-up run may be moved between columns as a unit if the join stays valid.
- Only a King (or a run starting with a King) may be placed on an empty column.
- Foundations build up in suit, starting with the Ace.
- The top waste card is always playable to a tableau column or a foundation.
- When the stock runs out, the waste is flipped back to form a new stock — in our friendly ruleset, as often as you like.
Winning Strategies for Klondike Solitaire
- Always flip a face-down card when you can — hidden information is your real opponent.
- Prefer moves in long columns first; they hide the most cards.
- Don’t rush cards to the foundations. A 2 you might need for a red-black chain is worth more on the table.
- Empty columns are gold. Save them for Kings — and ideally a King with a useful queue behind it.
- Draw through the whole stock once before committing to a plan; knowing what’s buried changes everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Klondike Solitaire with one player?
Yes — Klondike is designed for exactly one player. It’s the world’s most popular single-player card game, and this version runs free in your browser with no download.
Is every Klondike deal winnable?
No. Roughly 80% of draw-1 deals are theoretically winnable, but some deals are dead ends no matter how well you play. Unlimited undo and redeal make it painless to try again.
What is the difference between draw-1 and draw-3?
Draw-1 turns over one stock card at a time and is the friendlier game. Draw-3 turns over three and only the top one is playable, which makes planning much harder.
How is Klondike different from FreeCell or Spider?
Klondike hides cards face-down and adds a stock pile, so luck matters. FreeCell deals everything face up (pure skill), while Spider uses two decks and builds full suit runs.
More games to love
If you like Klondike Solitaire, try one of these next — same beautiful deck, brand-new challenge.