Solitaire Klondike is the timeless, single-player card game that has been a staple on computers for decades. This browser-based version faithfully recreates the classic experience where the goal is to sort a standard 52-card deck into four foundation piles by suit.
It's a game of strategy, patience, and a little bit of luck, controlled entirely with a mouse.
Victory in Solitaire Klondike is achieved when you successfully move all 52 cards onto the four foundation piles at the top of the screen. Each foundation must be built up by a single suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King.
To do this, you'll manipulate the cards in the seven columns of the main playing area, known as the tableau. You uncover face-down cards and move sequences around to free up the cards you need for the foundations.
The game board consists of three main areas. The tableau contains seven columns of cards, with the top card of each column face-up.
You can move cards within the tableau by stacking them in descending order and alternating colors (e.g., a black 6 on a red 7). An empty tableau column can only be filled with a King.
The stockpile is the face-down deck of remaining cards. When you're out of moves on the tableau, you click the stockpile to draw new cards into the waste pile, giving you fresh options to continue the game.
Most versions of Solitaire Klondike offer two primary game modes: Draw 1 and Draw 3. In Draw 1 mode, you turn over one card at a time from the stockpile, which is generally considered the easier, more relaxed way to play.
All cards in the stockpile will be seen on every pass.
Draw 3 mode presents a greater challenge. Three cards are turned over from the stockpile at once, but you can only play the top card of the three. This requires more foresight and strategic planning, as some cards may be temporarily inaccessible.
You can enjoy Solitaire Klondike completely free in your web browser. There are no downloads or installations required.
Because it runs directly on the webpage, it works perfectly on most school or work networks, making it a great choice for a quick mental break during the day.
The main goal in Solitaire Klondike is to move all 52 cards from the deck into the four foundation piles located at the top of the screen.
Each foundation pile must be built by suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King (A, 2, 3...J, Q, K).
The game is played entirely with your mouse. You left click and drag cards to move them between columns in the tableau or up to the foundation piles. To draw new cards, you simply click on the stockpile deck.
Begin by looking for available moves in the tableau. You can stack cards in descending order with alternating colors (e.g., a red Jack on a black Queen). This helps uncover the face-down cards beneath them. Move Aces to the foundations as soon as they appear.
If you run out of moves, click the stockpile to deal new cards to the waste pile. The top card of the waste pile can be played onto the tableau or a foundation.
Continue this process until you've either won the game by clearing all the cards or have no moves left.
Clear a Column - Focus on emptying one of the tableau columns. This creates a valuable open slot where you can place any King, which can be critical for reorganizing your cards.
Expose Hidden Cards - Always prioritize a move that will flip over a face-down card in the tableau. Information is key, and seeing more cards gives you more options.
Don't Rush the Foundation - Avoid moving cards to the foundation piles too quickly, especially lower-numbered cards. They may be needed on the tableau to help you move other card sequences.
Check the Stockpile - Before making a move on the tableau, it's often wise to cycle through the stockpile once to see which cards are coming up. This can help you plan your next few moves.
King Placement - Don't just move a King to an empty space because you can. Only move a King if it helps you uncover face-down cards or make other advantageous plays.
