🃏 Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is the most played card game in history, largely because Microsoft included it with Windows 3.0 in 1990. Designed by Wes Cherry (who received no royalties), the Windows version was originally intended to teach users how to use a mouse — dragging and dropping cards was perfect practice. It became so popular that businesses reportedly lost billions of dollars in productivity to employees playing it during work hours. The game's origins predate computers by over a century. Klondike-style solitaire games were documented in 19th-century Europe, with the name possibly referring to the Klondike Gold Rush region of Canada. The goal is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. The tableau — seven columns of cards with only the top card face-up — creates the puzzle. You must uncover buried cards by building descending sequences of alternating colors, revealing new options with each move. Solitaire is deceptively strategic. While luck determines the initial layout, skilled players win significantly more often than beginners by planning sequences, managing the stock pile efficiently, and recognizing when a game is unwinnable early. Studies suggest that roughly 79% of Klondike deals are theoretically winnable, but human players typically win only 43% of games. The gap between those numbers represents the game's strategic depth — there's always more to learn about optimal play.
How to Play Solitaire
🖥️ Desktop
Click and drag cards to move them. Build descending sequences of alternating colors (red on black, black on red) in the tableau columns. Click the stock pile (top-left) to draw new cards. Move Aces to the foundation piles (top-right) and build each suit from Ace to King. Only Kings can be placed in empty columns.
📱 Mobile
Tap a card to select it, then tap the destination to move it. Tap the stock pile to draw cards. Build alternating-color sequences in the tableau and move cards to the foundation piles by suit. Complete all four foundation piles to win.
Game Features
- ✓Classic Klondike Solitaire with standard 52-card deck
- ✓Drag-and-drop card movement
- ✓Auto-move to foundation when possible
- ✓Stock pile with draw-one or draw-three options
- ✓Undo button for correcting mistakes
Tips & Tricks
- Always move Aces and Twos to the foundation immediately
- Expose face-down cards as quickly as possible — they're your hidden options
- Don't empty a column unless you have a King ready to place there
- Prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards over moves that don't
- When drawing from the stock, plan several moves ahead before committing
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Solitaire games are winnable?
About 79% of Klondike Solitaire deals are theoretically winnable with perfect play. However, human players typically win around 43% of games. The gap reflects the game's strategic depth — knowing which moves to make requires significant skill and planning.
Who created the Windows Solitaire game?
Windows Solitaire was programmed by Wes Cherry, an intern at Microsoft, in 1989. It shipped with Windows 3.0 in 1990. Cherry received no royalties despite the game becoming one of the most-played computer games in history.
What is the difference between draw-one and draw-three?
Draw-one reveals one card at a time from the stock pile, making the game easier. Draw-three reveals three cards but only the top one is playable, making it harder. Draw-three is the traditional Klondike rule and is considered the standard difficulty.
Can I always win Solitaire?
No. Some deals are mathematically unwinnable regardless of strategy. If you've gone through the stock pile multiple times without progress, the game may be stuck. Recognizing unwinnable positions early saves time and lets you start a fresh deal.