Solitaire is one of the most popular single-player card games in the world. When people say “Solitaire,” they usually mean Klondike Solitaire. Below are the clear, step-by-step rules for playing this classic version.
1. Game Objective
The main goal of Solitaire is:
To move all 52 cards from the main playing area (tableau and stock)
Into four foundation piles, one for each suit (♠, ♥, ♦, ♣)
Building each foundation from Ace up to King in order
If you successfully build all four foundations (A, 2, 3 … Q, K of each suit), you win the game.
2. The Setup
Solitaire uses a standard 52-card deck (no jokers). The cards are dealt into different areas:
Tableau (Main Playing Area)
There are 7 columns of cards laid out from left to right.
Column 1: 1 card
Column 2: 2 cards
Column 3: 3 cards
Column 4: 4 cards
Column 5: 5 cards
Column 6: 6 cards
Column 7: 7 cards
In each column:
Only the top card is face up
All other cards underneath are face down
This group of 7 columns is called the tableau.
Foundations
Above the tableau, you have 4 empty spaces
Each space is a foundation pile
One foundation for each suit:
Spades (♠)
Hearts (♥)
Diamonds (♦)
Clubs (♣)
You will build these foundations starting with an Ace and ending with a King of the same suit.
Stock and Waste
The remaining undealt cards form the stock pile (face down)
When you draw cards from the stock, they go into the waste pile (face up)
You can play cards from the waste onto the tableau or the foundations following the normal rules.
3. How the Tableau Works
The tableau is where you do most of your moves.
Building on the Tableau
On the tableau columns, you build downwards in alternating colors:
Cards must be placed in descending rank (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 6…)
Colors must alternate: red on black or black on red
For example:
You can place a red 6♥ on a black 7♣
You can place a black 10♠ on a red J♦
You cannot place a red 6♥ on a red 7♦, or build upwards (e.g. 8 on 7)
You can move:
A single card, or
A whole sequence of cards that already follow the descending, alternating-color pattern
Example: You can move a sequence like 9♠–8♥–7♣ together onto a red 10♦.
Turning Face-Down Cards
When you move the top face-up card (or sequence) from a column:
If there is a face-down card beneath it, you flip that card face up
This is how you unlock more cards to play
Empty Columns
If you clear all the cards from a column:
That column becomes an empty space
Only a King (with or without a sequence below it) can be moved into an empty column
For example:
You can move K♣ or K♠–Q♥–J♣–10♦ into an empty column
You cannot move a Queen or any lower card into an empty column
4. How the Foundations Work
The foundations are built by suit and ascending order.
Starting a Foundation
You must start a foundation with an Ace
As soon as an Ace (e.g., A♠) is available on the tableau or waste, you can move it to the foundation area
Building Up by Suit
After placing the Ace:
You add cards of the same suit in ascending rank
Example for Hearts foundation:
A♥
2♥
3♥
4♥
… up to K♥
You can move cards to the foundation from either:
The tableau
The waste pile
5. Stock and Waste Rules
The stock holds all undealt cards. You use it when you have no more useful moves on the tableau.
Drawing from the Stock
There are two common modes of play:
Draw 1 (One-Card Draw)
You draw one card from the stock to the waste
You can use the top waste card on the tableau or foundations
Draw 3 (Three-Card Draw)
You draw three cards at a time from the stock into the waste
Only the top card of the waste is available to play
If you play the top card, the one beneath it becomes available
Which draw style you use depends on the rules you choose or the site/app you are playing on.
Recycling the Stock
When you reach the end of the stock:
If allowed by your chosen rules, you turn the waste pile over to form a new stock
The order of the cards remains the same as they were in the waste
Some rule sets allow unlimited passes through the stock; others limit how many times you can cycle through
6. Legal Moves Summary
Here is a quick summary of what moves are allowed:
Tableau → Tableau
Move a face-up card (or a correct descending, alternating stack) onto another tableau card of the opposite color and one rank higher
Tableau → Foundation
Move a card onto a foundation if it is the next in ascending rank and same suit
Waste → Tableau
Move the top waste card onto a tableau card, following the same tableau rules (descending, alternate color)
Waste → Foundation
Move the top waste card to the foundation if it fits the next rank and suit
King or King-Stack → Empty Column
Only a King (alone or with a sequence under it) can be placed in an empty tableau column
7. Winning the Game
You win the game when:
All cards are moved to the four foundation piles
Each foundation shows a full sequence from Ace to King in its suit
At this point, the tableau and waste are empty, and the game is complete.
8. Common Optional Rules
Different apps and websites sometimes add small variations. These do not change the core rules but adjust the difficulty:
Unlimited vs. limited stock passes
Some versions let you go through the stock as many times as you like
Others allow only a set number of passes (for a harder game)
Scoring system
You may get points for moving cards to the foundation, turning over a face-down card, or winning quickly
Timer
Some versions time your game so you can try to beat your own best time
Hints and Undo
Many digital versions offer a hint button to suggest moves
An undo button lets you take back one or more moves (useful for learning)
9. Basic Strategy Tips (Optional but Helpful)
While not strictly “rules,” these simple tips help you play Solitaire more effectively:
Try to uncover face-down cards in the tableau as a priority
Use empty columns wisely: try to free them for Kings when possible
Avoid moving cards to the foundation too early if you still need them on the tableau
In draw-3 games, remember the order of cards in the stock and waste
These are the complete, standard rules for classic Klondike Solitaire. Once you understand the setup, the allowed moves, and the goal, you can enjoy this relaxing and challenging card game anytime—whether with a physical deck or online.