The original patience game
Klondike is the solitaire most people learned first. Twenty-eight cards are dealt into seven columns, with only the top card of each face up, and the rest wait in the stock. You win by sorting the whole deck onto four foundations, one per suit, from Ace to King.
The skill lies in choosing which hidden card to free next. Every face-down card you turn over gives you new options, so most strong moves are the ones that uncover something.
Strategy tips
- Turn over hidden cards first. When two moves look equal, pick the one that exposes a face-down card, ideally from the tallest column.
- Don’t rush cards to the foundations. A low card on a foundation is safe, but a 5 or 6 may still be needed to hold a run of the other colour.
- Empty a column only when a King is ready. An empty column is useful only if you have a King to put in it.
- In Draw 3, think about the order. Playing a card from the waste changes which cards come up on the next pass through the stock.
Play it your way
Choose Draw 1 for a relaxed game or Draw 3 for a real challenge; your choice is remembered. Undo has no limit, Hint suggests a useful move, and once every card is face up, Finish plays the rest for you. Your best time for each mode is saved on your device.
How to play Klondike Solitaire
- 1
Know the goal
Move all 52 cards onto the four foundations at the top right, one suit per foundation, from Ace up to King.
- 2
Build down the columns
In the seven columns, place a card on one that is one rank higher and the opposite colour, such as a red 6 on a black 7.
- 3
Use the stock
Tap the stock to turn over one card (Draw 1) or three (Draw 3). The top card of the waste pile can be played.
- 4
Fill empty columns with Kings
Only a King, or a run starting with a King, can go into an empty column. Turn over hidden cards whenever you can.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Draw 1 and Draw 3?
+
In Draw 1 you turn one card from the stock at a time and can reach every card. In Draw 3 you turn three at once and can only play the top one, which makes the game noticeably harder.
How many times can I go through the stock?
+
As many times as you like. When the stock is empty, tap it to turn the waste pile back over.
Is every Klondike deal winnable?
+
No. Most deals can be won with perfect play, especially in Draw 1, but some cannot. If you get stuck, Undo lets you try a different line, or start a new deal.
How do I move cards on a phone?
+
Tap a card to send it to the best place automatically, or drag it. If a card can go to more than one place, tap it and then tap where you want it.
Can I play with a keyboard?
+
Yes. Focus the table, use the arrow keys to move between piles and cards, Enter to pick up and place, A to auto-move, D to draw, H for a hint and Ctrl+Z to undo.
Prefer tiles?
Try Mahjong Solitaire: six layouts, and every deal is guaranteed to be solvable.
Play Mahjong