Klondike Solitaire Classic – Play Online for Free
Solitaire, also known as Klondike Solitaire or Patience, is one of the most popular card games in the world. Its inclusion as a pre-installed game on early Windows computers contributed enormously to its popularity. Depending on how the cards are dealt, a game can be straightforward or genuinely challenging. Some hands simply cannot be solved. Seven columns are dealt at the start, with only the top card of each face up. The remaining 24 cards form the Stock, which provides additional cards when no more moves are possible. Above the seven columns sit four empty foundation spaces where cards must be stacked in the correct order.
Rules – How to Win at Solitaire
The goal is to arrange all cards on the four foundation spaces, sorted by suit (♥ ♠ ♦ ♣). Each foundation pile starts with an Ace and ends with a King: Ace – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Jack – Queen – King. When all four piles are complete, the game is won. If no moves remain, the game is lost. Related games include Spider Solitaire, which requires completing full suit sequences, and Freecell, which adds four free cells for temporary card storage but has no Stock.
Allowed moves
You can place a card from the Stock or a face-up column card onto another face-up column card, provided it is a different color and one rank lower. Multiple consecutive face-up cards in the correct sequence can be moved together. Example: a 5 of Spades can receive a 4 of Hearts or 4 of Diamonds, then a 3 of Spades or 3 of Clubs, and so on. An entire sorted sequence can be moved onto a matching card in one step.
When cards are moved from a column, the new top card is flipped face up. If a column becomes completely empty, it can only be filled by a King or a sequence starting with a King.
Using the Stock
When no moves are available in the columns, draw from the Stock. Draw 1 reveals one card at a time; Draw 3 reveals three, of which only the top card can be played. Once it is used, the next becomes available. When the Stock is exhausted, it is turned over and replayed without reshuffling.
Features of Classic Klondike Solitaire
Before starting, choose a difficulty level. Both Draw 1 and Draw 3 offer three levels: easy, normal, and hard. A time limit can also be activated, with a custom duration of up to 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
The game menu shows the current mode and difficulty at a glance. Clicking the active setting starts a new game with the same parameters. Use "New Game" to change difficulty, or "Restart" to replay the current hand. "Undo" reverses the last move; "Redo" restores it. "Hint" suggests a possible move. "Pause" pauses and resumes the game. The screen shows elapsed time, move count, cards remaining in the Stock, and the number of passes through it.
More Solitaire Variants
Among the closer relatives of Klondike Solitaire, Yukon Solitaire and Scorpion Solitaire are worth trying first. Yukon drops the stock pile entirely and lets you move any face-up card freely, while Scorpion builds complete same-suit sequences directly on the tableau instead of alternating colors like Klondike. For a bigger challenge, Forty Thieves Solitaire uses two decks across ten columns with strict one-card movement, and Crescent Solitaire builds eight foundations simultaneously from a distinctive crescent-shaped layout.
On the lighter end, Golf Solitaire and Tri Peaks Solitaire focus on clearing cards in chains rather than sorting by suit, making for shorter and faster sessions. Triple Solitaire goes the other direction, stretching the classic format across three decks for a longer and more involved game.
Frequently Asked Questions
📌 Can I really play Klondike Solitaire for free?
Yes, Klondike Solitaire Classic, Spider Solitaire and Freecell are all free to play with no registration required. Simply visit the site, choose a game, and start playing.
📌 Which Solitaire variants are available?
We offer Solitaire Classic, Spider Solitaire and Freecell as the three main games, each available in multiple variants including Windows XP editions, time-limited modes, and more. Browse the full game list to find the version that suits you.
📌 What do I need to do to win?
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, one per suit, from Ace up to King. To make cards available, arrange the tableau columns in descending order with alternating colors. Empty columns can only be started with a King.
📌 In what order do I stack the cards?
Foundation piles are built in ascending order by suit: Ace – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – Jack – Queen – King. On the tableau, cards are stacked in descending order with alternating colors: a 7 of Hearts or Diamonds can only receive a 6 of Clubs or Spades.
📌 Where can I find Aces?
Aces are distributed throughout the game. At the start, one or more may already be face up in the columns. Others may be face down in columns or in the Stock. Simply uncover as many cards as possible and the Aces will appear.
📌 What can I do if I am stuck?
Use the Hint button to see a possible move, draw from the Stock, or undo recent moves. If none of these options help, the hand cannot be completed and it is time to start a new game.