Solitaire Plain-English guide
How to Play Klondike Solitaire
Learn the setup, legal moves, foundations, stock rules, and practical habits for playing Klondike Solitaire online.
Play Klondike Solitaire →Build the tableau downward
Move face-up cards into descending rank order while alternating red and black suits. Only a King, or a properly ordered stack beginning with a King, can enter an empty tableau column.
Build foundations upward
Each foundation begins with an Ace and grows from 2 through King in a single suit. Moving cards to foundations is the route to winning, but timing matters when a card is still useful in the tableau.
Expose hidden cards first
Turning over face-down tableau cards creates new moves and is usually more valuable than a move that only shifts an already visible stack. Use the stock and empty columns to uncover blocked cards.
FAQ Quick answers
Common questions.
What is the difference between draw one and draw three?
Draw one reveals stock cards one at a time and is more forgiving. Draw three reveals every third card in sequence and is generally harder.
Can every Solitaire deal be won?
No. Some shuffled Klondike deals are not winnable, and some winnable deals require very specific move sequences.