ProSolitaire › Klondike Solitaire Strategy and Tips

Klondike Solitaire Strategy and Tips

Klondike mixes luck and decisions. You can't control the deal, but small choices make a real difference to how often you win. These tips apply to both draw 1 and draw 3.

Before you draw from the stock

• Look at every available move first. Use up the useful moves on the tableau before you turn over a card from the stock. Drawing too early can leave a card stuck in the waste when you need it.
• Turn over face-down cards as a priority. Moves that uncover a hidden card are usually better than moves that only shuffle cards around.
• Favor the biggest column. If you have a choice, work on the column with the most face-down cards. That's where the most hidden cards are.

Aces, 2s and the foundations

• Play Aces and 2s to the foundations right away. There's rarely a reason to keep them on the tableau.
• Be careful with higher cards. A card on a foundation can't help you build tableau columns anymore. Before you send a 5 or 6 up, check that you don't still need it as a place to put another card.
• Keep the foundations roughly level. If one suit races far ahead of the others, the lower cards you're missing are often the ones that are blocking your game.

Empty columns

• An empty column is valuable, but only if you have a King ready. Only a King can fill it, so don't empty a column unless a King is available or about to be.
• Don't move a King from one empty column to another. It uses up the space without gaining anything, unless it uncovers a card.

Choosing between moves

• When two cards of the same color could go on the same card, ask which choice frees more. Pick the one that uncovers a face-down card, or keeps a useful card available for later.
• Avoid moves that bury cards you need. If the card you're waiting for is under a long run, think about whether the move will make it harder to reach.
• Take your time. There's no rush. Look at the board before you commit.

Using Undo

On ProSolitaire, Undo takes back your last move. It's a good way to test an idea: try a move, see what it opens up, and undo it if it doesn't help.

New to the game? Start with how to play Klondike solitaire.