How to Play Solitaire

Classic Klondike rules — the most popular version of solitaire.

Objective

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles in the top-right corner. Each foundation is built up by suit from Ace to King (A → 2 → 3 → … → K). When all four foundations are complete, you win.

The Layout

  • Tableau — 7 columns of cards in the centre. Only the top card of each column is face-up at the start.
  • Stock — face-down pile in the top-left. Click it to draw one card at a time to the waste pile.
  • Waste — the drawn card sits face-up here and can be played.
  • Foundations — four empty slots (top-right), one per suit.

Moving Cards

  • Tableau to tableau: Place a card (or a face-up sequence) on a card of the opposite colour and the next rank up. Example: red 7 on black 8.
  • Empty column: Only a King (or a sequence starting with a King) may be moved to an empty tableau column.
  • To foundation: Play an Ace to start a foundation, then build up in suit order. Cards go to foundations automatically when double-clicked or dragged.
  • Waste to tableau or foundation: The top card of the waste pile can be dragged anywhere a valid move exists.

Controls

ActionHow
Move a cardDrag and drop
Draw from stockClick the stock pile
Recycle waste to stockClick the stock when empty
Send to foundationDouble-click a card, or drag to foundation slot
Get a hintClick the "Hint" button
New gameClick "New Game"

Strategy Tips

  1. Uncover face-down cards first. Every face-down card you reveal increases your options. Prioritise moves that flip a hidden card over moves that just rearrange face-up cards.
  2. Empty a column early. An empty column gives you a temporary parking space and lets you move Kings freely. Aim to clear the shortest column first.
  3. Don't rush Aces to foundations.A low card in the tableau can still be useful for building sequences. Move it to the foundation only when it's no longer needed below.
  4. Keep foundations balanced. Try to keep foundation piles within 1–2 ranks of each other. A big imbalance can trap cards you need to play on the tableau.
  5. Think before placing Kings. Only move a King to an empty column if you have productive cards to build underneath it. Filling an empty space with an isolated King can stall your game.
  6. Use the hint button.If you're stuck, the hint system suggests the highest-priority move — foundation moves first, then reveals, then stock draws.
  7. Every deal is winnable.This game only deals cards that have been verified solvable, so if you're stuck, there is always a path forward.

Winning

When all 52 cards are on the foundations, the game is won and a celebration animation plays. Click New Game to start a fresh guaranteed-winnable deal.

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