How to Play Solitaire
Learn how to play Klondike Solitaire with setup, card moves, foundations, tableau rules, winning strategy, common mistakes, troubleshooting, and FAQs.
Quick Answer
To play Solitaire, deal seven tableau piles with increasing face-down cards and one face-up card on each pile, move cards in descending alternating colors, build foundations from ace to king by suit, draw from the stock when stuck, and win by moving all cards to the foundations.
What You Need
- Standard 52-card deck
- Flat playing surface
- Space for tableau, stock, waste, and foundations
- Basic knowledge of card suits and ranks
Safety Precautions
- Shuffle well before playing.
- Keep drinks away from cards.
- Use a comfortable table height for longer games.
- For digital games, avoid suspicious downloads or intrusive ads.
- Pause if playing stops feeling fun.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1
Deal the tableau
Deal seven piles from left to right, with one card in the first pile, two in the second, and so on.
- Step 2
Turn top cards face up
Only the top card of each tableau pile starts face up.
- Step 3
Set the stock aside
Place remaining cards face down as the stock pile.
- Step 4
Move tableau cards
Build downward in alternating colors, such as red 7 on black 8.
- Step 5
Start foundations
Move aces to foundation piles, then build each suit upward from ace to king.
- Step 6
Draw from stock
Flip cards from the stock to the waste when you have no useful tableau move.
- Step 7
Win the game
Move every card to the four foundation piles in suit order.
Practical Example
Example: You move a red 6 onto a black 7, reveal a hidden card, move an ace to a foundation, and continue opening hidden cards whenever possible.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting alternating colors
- Moving cards to foundations too early
- Ignoring hidden-card reveals
- Misplacing the stock and waste
- Assuming every shuffled game is winnable
- Not deciding draw-one or draw-three rules first
Troubleshooting
No moves are available
Draw from the stock or replay the waste according to your chosen rules.
Tableau is blocked
Prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards.
Foundation move causes problems
Delay moving cards if they are needed to build tableau sequences.
Rules feel inconsistent
Choose draw-one or draw-three before starting and stick with it.
Helpful Internal Links
FAQs
What kind of solitaire is this?
This guide covers Klondike Solitaire, the most familiar version for many players.
Can every solitaire game be won?
No. Some deals are unwinnable, especially depending on draw rules.
What goes on an empty tableau pile?
In Klondike, only a king or a sequence starting with a king can fill an empty tableau space.
Is draw-one easier than draw-three?
Usually yes, because you see and use more stock cards.
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