Polar Games
Guide

How to play solitaire: rules and tips to win

Classic Klondike solitaire rules step by step, how to set up the cards, tips to win more often and a quick guide to Spider solitaire.

By Polarzinho ·

Polarzinho and a purple octopus playing solitaire at a wooden table, with the cards laid out in seven columns in a cozy living room

Solitaire is the perfect game for calm, solo thinking. I play while eating bamboo, and both require the same virtue: patience.

Here are the rules of classic Klondike solitaire, step by step, plus the tips that help most when you want to win.

Play Solitaire Links

How to set up

  1. Use a standard 52-card deck with no jokers.
  2. Deal 7 columns (the tableau): 1 card in the first, 2 in the second, up to 7 in the seventh.
  3. Only the top card of each column is face up. The rest are face down.
  4. The 24 leftover cards form the stock pile.
  5. Leave room for 4 foundation piles, one for each suit.

Rules

  • The goal is to move all cards to the 4 foundations, from ace to king, one suit per pile.
  • In the tableau, build down in alternating colors: a red 6 goes on a black 7.
  • You can move a whole sequence from one column to another if it fits.
  • When a face-down card is uncovered, flip it face up.
  • Only a king (or a sequence starting with a king) can fill an empty column.
  • From the stock, turn 1 card at a time (easier) or 3 at a time (classic).

Tips to win more often

  1. Move aces and twos to the foundations as soon as they appear.
  2. Prefer moves that reveal face-down cards, especially in the biggest columns.
  3. Do not empty a column unless you have a king ready for it.
  4. Before drawing from the stock, check for moves on the table.
  5. Do not rush everything to the foundations: a low card can still be useful in the tableau.

What about Spider solitaire?

Spider uses two decks (104 cards) and 10 columns. You build down regardless of color, and each complete run from king to ace in one suit is removed. You can play with 1, 2 or 4 suits, from easiest to hardest.

A different kind of solitaire

Solitaire Links uses solitaire mechanics with word cards: instead of suits, you sort cards into categories like fruits and pets until the table is clear.

Solitaire Links table with the Pets category complete, the Fruits category open, word cards in the columns and a x3 combo

PolarzinhoIn regular solitaire I lose to the seven of hearts. In Solitaire Links I lose to a fruit card.

Solitaire Links: word cards sorted by category.
Solitaire Links tutorial with the gold Fruits card highlighted and Linky the octopus asking you to drag it to an empty crown spot

PolarzinhoLinky the octopus explains everything very patiently. Fitting.

The tutorial shows how to move the gold category card to the top.

FAQ

Can every game of solitaire be won?

No. Some Klondike deals cannot be won, even with perfect play.

Should I draw 1 or 3 cards?

Drawing 1 makes the game easier. Drawing 3 is the classic, harder mode.

What can go in an empty column?

Only a king, or a sequence that starts with a king.

Deal yourself in

Grab a deck, deal the 7 columns and try the tips. Or try the word version below.

Play Solitaire Links