How to Play Solitaire and Variations

When people speak of Solitaire they usually mean it's best-known version Klondike. Klondike is often the default and sometimes only game on computer solitaire programs. To confuse matters even more Klondike can be played with a variety of rules. Don't let the purists chide you, no matter which version you play, it's still Solitaire.

Instructions

1. Deal 28 cards to seven stacks to create your tableau; turn the remaining cards face down to make your stock. The first stack receives one card and each successive stack receives one more card than the previous. The seventh stack will receive seven cards. Deal all the cards face down except for the top card on each stack.

2. Build from the top cards on the seven stack or build on the foundations. You can only play a card facing up. You can play the tableau in descending order and alternating colors (queen on king, red on black,) or from the foundation in ascending order in the same suit (two of spades on ace of spades.) You must play an ace to start a building on the foundations. You can play any column with a King in the sequence into any space that opens.

3. Deal three cards from the top of the stock when you can no longer play any of the cards showing. If you can play the top card you can play the next or any face up card that can now be played onto the tableau or foundation. If no card can be played, continue to deal three cards at a time until you can make a play.

4. Play any face up card until the four foundation suits are completed (ace on bottom to king on top.) The game ends automatically when you can't play any cards on the tableau or from the deck.

5. Change the rules if you get bored. Klondike has several official variations and spin offs.

Tips & Warnings

• Variations include flipping three cards at a time with one three trips through the stock (two resets), flipping one card at a time once through the stock (no resets) and flipping one card at a time twice through the stock (one reset).