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The best Klondike strategy is to turn over face-down cards as early as you can, starting with the columns that hide the most cards. Play Aces and 2s to the foundations right away, but keep other cards in the tableau while they can still hold lower cards. Fill an empty column only with a King that frees another card or that you can build on.
A quick refresher on the rules
Klondike deals 28 cards into seven columns, called the tableau, from one card in the first to seven in the last. Only the top card of each column is face up, and the other 24 cards form the stock. You build columns down in alternating colors, such as a red 6 on a black 7, and build the four foundations up by suit from Ace to King. In the standard rules, only a King can fill an empty column.
For the full setup and other solitaire types, see solitaire types explained.
Free face-down cards first
Klondike starts with 21 face-down cards in the tableau, and they are the real problem. You can cycle through the stock again and again, but a face-down card only comes into play when you clear everything on top of it. The seventh column hides six, so start digging there early.
When you have more than one possible move, use this order:
- Play any Ace or 2 to its foundation as soon as it appears. Nothing in the tableau ever needs them.
- Make a move that turns over a face-down card.
- If several moves do that, pick the column with the most face-down cards.
- Make a move that sets up a reveal on your next turn.
- Only then draw from the stock.
Avoid moves that change nothing, since they can take the only spot a later card needed. When two cards could make the same move, such as two black 7s that could go on a red 8, move the one sitting on face-down cards.
When to move cards to the foundations
Every card in the tableau is also a parking spot. A red 6 can hold a black 5. If you send the red 6 up too early, a black 5 may have nowhere to go and could block a column for the rest of the game.
A simple rule tells you when a card is safe to play: a card can go up when both cards of the opposite color, one rank lower, are already on the foundations. For example, the 7 of hearts is safe once both black 6s are up, because no card will ever need to sit on it.
Break this rule when a foundation move turns over a face-down card or empties a column you need. Some versions also let you move a card back down from a foundation, which can rescue a stuck game.
Empty columns and Kings
An empty column helps only when a King, or a group of cards that starts with a King, is ready to move in. Clearing one with no King in sight gains nothing yet.
When you have a choice of Kings:
- Pick the King that frees the most. A King sitting on face-down cards is usually best, because moving it reveals a card.
- Match the color to the Queen you have. If a red Queen is waiting in the waste pile or blocking a column, move a black King so the Queen can follow.
- Leave a King alone if it is already at the bottom of a column. Moving it gains nothing.
Draw 1 vs Draw 3
Klondike has two common ways to turn cards from the stock, and rules vary on how many passes through the stock you get, from one to unlimited.
| Draw 1 | Draw 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cards turned at a time | One | Three |
| Cards you can reach | Every card, on every pass | The top card of each group of three |
| Reachable in one pass of 24, if you play none | All 24 | 8 |
| Difficulty | Easier, good for learning | Harder |
In Draw 1, every stock card is reachable, so focus on the tableau and draw only when you are stuck.
In Draw 3, the order of the stock matters. If you play no card from the waste, the same cards come up in the same groups on every pass. Playing one waste card shifts the groups, so different cards come within reach next time. When a pass gives you nothing, play a waste card to change the order.
Why you will still lose some games
Not every deal can be won, however well you play, and the exact chance of winning a deal with perfect play is still unknown. Good habits help you win more of the deals that can be won.
Where to practice
- Klondike Solitaire: the classic game, with the option to play with one or three cards.
- Solitaire Grande: classic Klondike with 1-card or 3-card draw and unlimited hints and undos.
- Solitaire Legend: a card sorting game where you move every card from the waste and tableau to the foundations.
- Solitaire 15in1 Collection: a large collection of solitaire variants, including Klondike and FreeCell.
More card games are in the card and board games category.
Frequently asked questions
Can every game of Klondike solitaire be won?
No. Some Klondike deals cannot be won however well you play, because the cards you need are buried or come up from the stock in the wrong order. The exact share of winnable deals has never been calculated. Freeing face-down cards early and playing to the foundations carefully helps you win more of the deals that can be won.
Should beginners play Draw 1 or Draw 3?
Beginners should start with Draw 1. Every card in the stock can be played on every pass, so you can focus on learning the tableau. Draw 3 shows only one card in three, and the order of the stock becomes part of the puzzle. Move to Draw 3 once you win Draw 1 games regularly.
When is it safe to move a card to the foundation?
A card is safe to move to its foundation when both cards of the opposite color, one rank lower, are already there. For example, the 7 of hearts is safe once both black 6s are on the foundations. Before that point, the card may still be needed in the tableau to hold a lower card.
What can go in an empty column in Klondike?
In standard Klondike rules, only a King, or a group of cards that starts with a King, can fill an empty column. Choose a King that frees face-down cards or that matches the color needed for a Queen you have waiting. An empty column is only useful once a King is ready to move in.
