Classic Solitaire rules at a glance
Klondike Solitaire uses one standard 52-card deck. The goal is to move every card to four foundation piles, one pile per suit, building from Ace up to King.
The board has seven tableau columns, a stock pile, a waste pile, and four foundations. Build tableau columns downward in alternating colors, uncover hidden cards, and move every card to the foundations when it becomes legal.
These are the standard rules used for classic Klondike Solitaire on vSolitaire. You can practice them immediately in the browser with Draw 1, Draw 3, undo, scoring, and no download.
How to set up Klondike Solitaire
Start by shuffling one 52-card deck. Deal the tableau from left to right so each column has one more card than the column before it.
- Deal seven tableau columns from left to right.
- The first column has one card, the second has two, and the seventh has seven.
- Only the top card in each tableau column starts face up.
- The remaining cards become the stock pile.
- Leave room for the waste pile and four foundation piles above the tableau.
The four parts of the board
The tableau is where most decisions happen. You move face-up cards between the seven columns to reveal hidden cards and create useful sequences.
The stock is the face-down draw pile. Cards drawn from the stock move to the waste pile. Only the top waste card is available, so stock order matters, especially in Draw 3.
The foundations are the four suit piles. Each foundation starts with an Ace and builds upward in the same suit until it reaches King.
Legal moves
You can move a face-up card onto a card of the opposite color and one rank higher. For example, a black 8 can receive a red 7. Ordered stacks can move together when the destination card follows the same rule.
Empty tableau columns can only be filled by a King or a stack that starts with a King. Foundations start with Aces and build upward in the same suit.
When you move the last face-up card away from a tableau column and expose a face-down card, turn that card face up. Revealing hidden cards is one of the most important ways to make progress.
Foundation rules
Move Aces to the foundations when they appear. Twos and Threes are usually safe to move soon after, but higher cards can sometimes support useful tableau moves. If a foundation move blocks a hidden-card reveal, wait and compare the options.
You win when all four foundations are complete from Ace through King.
Draw 1 vs Draw 3
Turn 1 Solitaire draws one stock card at a time and is easier for learning. Turn 3 Solitaire draws three cards at a time, making planning and stock order more important.
In Draw 1, each stock card gets its own chance on top of the waste pile. In Draw 3, only the top card of each three-card draw can move, so two visible cards may stay blocked until later passes through the stock.
What happens when you get stuck?
If no tableau or foundation move is available, draw from the stock. If the stock is empty, the waste pile can be turned back over so you can review the stock order again.
A game can still become blocked. Before restarting, use undo to compare another move order. A different King placement, foundation timing, or stock card can keep a deal alive.
Beginner rule checklist
- Reveal face-down tableau cards whenever possible.
- Do not empty a column unless you have a useful King ready.
- Move Aces and low cards to the foundations early.
- Build tableau cards downward in alternating colors only.
- Move a sequence only when the first card fits the destination column.
- Check the tableau before cycling the stock again.
- Use undo to compare lines without losing the lesson from the deal.
Common rules questions
You cannot place a random card in an empty column. The empty space is reserved for a King or a sequence led by a King. You also cannot build tableau cards by the same color, even if the rank is correct.
You may move a group of face-up tableau cards together only when the group is already ordered correctly. The destination card must still be one rank higher and the opposite color.
Practice the rules online
The easiest way to learn is to play a few slow games. Start with Draw 1, focus on uncovering hidden tableau cards, and use undo when two moves both look possible.
After you know the rules, use the strategy guide to improve your win rate, read Solitaire scoring to compare results, or share a win replay when you finish a clean game.