Klondike Solitaire is the game most people simply call "solitaire." Whether you grew up playing it on Windows or with a real card deck, here is the complete rule set — including the parts that often trip up beginners.
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Play Free Solitaire →The Starting Layout
Klondike is played with a single standard 52-card deck. Cards are dealt into 7 tableau columns:
- 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 4–7: following the same pattern up to 7 cards total
The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile, placed face-down in the upper left. Four empty foundation spaces sit in the upper right.
How to Play: Core Rules
The goal is to move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. Here are the rules governing how cards can move:
Tableau Building
In the tableau, you build columns downward in alternating colors. A red 7 goes on a black 8; a black 3 goes on a red 4. Only face-up cards can be moved. You can move a sequence of face-up cards as a group if the sequence is in alternating-color descending order.
Flipping Cards
When you move the face-up card off a tableau column, the top face-down card flips face-up and becomes available. Empty tableau columns can be filled only with a King (or a sequence starting with a King).
The Stock and Waste
Click the stock pile to flip cards to the waste pile. In Draw 1, one card is flipped at a time. In Draw 3, three cards are flipped at once (only the top card of those three is playable). You can play the top waste card to the tableau or foundation at any time.
Recycling the Stock
When the stock is empty, you can flip the waste pile face-down to create a new stock. In Draw 1, you can typically cycle the stock unlimited times. In Draw 3, some games limit redeals or apply a point penalty for recycling.
Foundation Building
Foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King. Once a card is placed on the foundation, you can move it back to the tableau in most implementations — but this costs points in scored games.
Draw 1 vs Draw 3
Draw 1 (also called Klondike Turn 1): The stock reveals one card at a time. Easier — you have access to every stock card without waiting. Win rate around 70–80% with good play.
Draw 3 (Klondike Turn 3): Three cards are flipped at once; only the top one is accessible. Much harder — many stock cards are temporarily buried. Win rate around 15–20% even with good strategy.
Winning and Losing
You win when all 52 cards are on the four foundation piles in suit order (A→K). You lose when no legal moves remain and the stock is empty. In some implementations, the game auto-completes when all cards are face-up and placed correctly — you just watch the cascade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put any card in an empty Klondike column?
No. In standard Klondike rules, only a King (or a sequence starting with a King) can be placed in an empty tableau column. This rule is important to strategy — empty columns are valuable but restricted.
How many times can you go through the stock in Klondike?
In most Draw 1 games, you can cycle through the stock unlimited times. In Draw 3 games, some versions limit you to 3 passes or penalize additional passes with point deductions. Check your specific game's rules.
Can you move cards back from the foundation in Klondike?
In most implementations, yes — you can move a card back from the foundation to the tableau if it fits. However, this typically costs points in scored games and should be used sparingly.
What is the difference between Klondike and regular solitaire?
Klondike IS regular solitaire. When people say "solitaire" without specifying, they almost always mean Klondike. The name "Klondike" simply distinguishes it from the hundreds of other solitaire variants.
Why can't I win some Klondike games?
Not all Klondike deals are winnable. With Draw 1 and unlimited redeals, about 79% of games are theoretically winnable. Draw 3 games are harder to win. Sometimes the initial deal makes winning impossible regardless of strategy.