Klondike Solitaire
About Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is the classic single-player card game that most people simply call "Solitaire." Played with a standard 52-card deck, the goal is to sort every card into four foundation piles, one per suit, arranged in ascending order from Ace up to King. It is widely considered the hardest of the popular solitaire variants to actually win, which is exactly why it has earned a reputation as "a game of patience" — success depends less on luck than on careful sequencing, planning several moves ahead, and knowing when to dig into the stock pile.
You can play Klondike Solitaire for free directly in your browser on desktop, Chromebook, or tablet, with no download, install, or account required. The interface is clean and simple, built around a single mouse for every action, so the game is equally at home as a quick five-minute break or a longer session spent chasing that elusive full clear.
Controls
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Draw from stock | Left-click the stock pile |
| Move a card or pile | Click and hold, then drag to the target pile |
| Play from the waste pile | Click the top card of the waste pile |
| Send a card to a foundation | Drag it onto the matching suit pile (or double-click, if available) |
| Reset the stock | Click the empty stock pile after the waste pile is used up |
Tableau and Foundation Rules
The board starts with seven tableau piles across the top row, each holding a mix of face-down and face-up cards, with the piles growing longer from left to right. You build sequences on the tableau by placing a card of the opposite color one rank lower onto another — for example, a 9 of clubs onto a 10 of hearts — and you can move a whole valid sequence as one unit once it's assembled. Any card you don't use from the stock goes into the waste pile, and once the stock runs dry, the waste pile flips back over to become a fresh stock so play can continue.
Building the Foundations
The four foundation piles in the top corner are where the game is actually won. Each one holds a single suit, built strictly in order starting with the Ace, then 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, and finally King. You can send cards to the foundations from the tableau or the waste pile at any time they fit, but doing so too early can strand cards you still need for tableau sequencing, so timing matters as much as spotting the right move.
Tips for Winning at Klondike Solitaire
Prioritize uncovering face-down cards in the tableau before you worry about building foundations — every hidden card you reveal gives you more options later. Don't rush Aces and 2s to the foundation the moment they appear; keeping a low card in play on the tableau can let you continue a longer color sequence. Always try to create an empty tableau column as soon as possible, since a free column is one of the most powerful tools in the game for temporarily parking cards. Finally, cycle through the stock methodically rather than randomly — note what's coming up so you're not caught without a needed card late in the game.
How to Play Klondike Solitaire
- Study the deal — Look at the seven tableau piles and note which face-up cards can be moved right away.
- Build tableau sequences — Stack cards of alternating color in descending order, moving whole sequences when useful.
- Reveal hidden cards — Clear face-up cards off a pile to flip the face-down card beneath it.
- Draw from the stock — Click the stock to reveal new cards and add them to the waste pile when the tableau stalls.
- Send cards to the foundations — Move Aces up first, then build each suit in ascending order.
- Recycle the waste pile — Once the stock is empty, flip the waste pile over and keep drawing.
- Clear the board — Keep working until all 52 cards sit on the four foundations to win the game.
More Games Like This
If you enjoy the patience-testing challenge of Klondike Solitaire, try Microsoft Solitaire Collection for five classic solitaire variants in one place, or Pyramid Solitaire for a different kind of card-clearing puzzle. For more options, browse the full board games and card games collections on OnlineGames.io.
