Klondike is the solitaire most people just call solitaire: seven columns of cards, a stock in the corner, and four foundations waiting for aces. The name comes from the 1890s Klondike gold rush, and Windows made it the world's default game in 1990.
New here? The short rules below are enough for your first win. For a full walkthrough of the setup, every legal move, and how scoring works, read the how to play guide. To win more often, our strategy guide is built on real solver data, not folklore.
Everything you need to play well
Undo is unlimited, so a wrong turn costs you a click instead of the whole deal. Hints never lie: the hint button runs a solver on the live board and only points at a move it can back up. Switch on winnable deals only in Settings to start every game from a deal the solver has proven winnable.
There is more in the menu: a daily challenge where every player gets the same deal, a big cards mode for easier reading, four table themes including high contrast, and a left-hand layout that mirrors the board. Stats, streaks, and settings stay in your browser.
Pick your rules
The settings menu switches between draw 1 and draw 3. Draw 1 turns over one stock card at a time and suits a relaxed game. Draw 3 turns over three at once but lets you play only the top one, which keeps more cards buried. Prefer a fixed rule? Play turn 1 or turn 3 directly.
Klondike solitaire FAQ
Is this Klondike solitaire game free?
Yes. Every game on this site is free, with no signup, no account, and nothing to download. The game runs entirely in your browser, and your stats and settings are stored on your own device. There are no ads either.
What is the difference between draw 1 and draw 3?
Draw 1 turns over one stock card at a time, so every card gets its chance on every pass. Draw 3 turns over three at once but only the top one is playable. Draw 1 is the friendly mode; draw 3 is the classic hard mode.
Are all Klondike deals winnable?
No. Most deals can be won with perfect play, but a share of them are lost before you touch a card. Turn on winnable deals only in Settings and we only deal games our solver has proven can be won, so every loss is recoverable.
How do the hints work?
The hint button runs a solver over the current board. When it finds a line that keeps the win alive, it suggests the first move of that line. When the position is too deep to decide quickly, it falls back to sound advice and never claims a live game is lost.
Can I play on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Cards respond to tap and drag, and the board scales to fit any screen. If the cards feel small, turn on big cards in Settings. On a desktop you can also play entirely with the keyboard: Tab moves between cards and Enter plays the selected one.