Solitaire FAQ — Terms, Glossary & Common Questions
Quick answers to the most common solitaire questions — including key terms like tableau, foundation, stock, and waste — with links to our detailed guides and game pages. New to solitaire? Start with our complete beginner's guide.
What is solitaire?
Solitaire is a category of card games designed for a single player. The most common version is Klondike, where you arrange cards into foundation piles by suit from Ace to King. There are over 500 known solitaire variants, each with unique rules and challenges.
Learn Klondike rules →How do you play Klondike solitaire?
Deal 28 cards into seven tableau columns of increasing length, with only the top card face-up. Build descending sequences of alternating colors in the tableau while moving Aces and subsequent cards to four foundation piles sorted by suit from Ace to King.
Full Klondike rules →Can you always win solitaire?
No. Most solitaire games have deals that are mathematically unwinnable regardless of play quality. Klondike is winnable about 82% of the time, FreeCell nearly 99%, Spider (four-suit) only about 33%, and Pyramid as low as 2%.
Strategy guide →What is the easiest solitaire game?
Golf solitaire is one of the easiest to learn, with simple rules and fast games under 5 minutes. Klondike is also beginner-friendly and the most widely known. One-suit Spider is very easy with a win rate near 99%.
Browse easy games →What is the hardest solitaire game?
Four-suit Spider solitaire is one of the hardest common variants, with a win rate of only about 33%. Pyramid is even harder statistically, with only about 2% of deals being winnable. Both require careful planning and significant experience.
Spider solitaire rules →What is the difference between Klondike and Spider?
Klondike uses one deck (52 cards) and builds foundations by suit from Ace to King. Spider uses two decks (104 cards) and requires building complete descending sequences within the tableau. Spider is significantly harder with a 33% win rate vs. Klondike's 82%.
Full comparison →What is the tableau in solitaire?
The tableau is the main playing area in solitaire, consisting of columns of cards arranged in a specific pattern. In Klondike, seven columns form a staircase — the first has one card, the second has two, and so on. Only the top card of each column is face-up and playable. You build the tableau by placing cards in descending order with alternating colors, uncovering hidden cards as you go.
Full solitaire setup guide →What is FreeCell solitaire?
FreeCell is a solitaire game where all 52 cards are dealt face-up, eliminating hidden information. Four free cells serve as temporary storage. Nearly every deal (99%+) is winnable with optimal play, making it more of a logic puzzle than a game of chance.
FreeCell rules and strategy →How many types of solitaire are there?
There are over 500 documented solitaire variants. The most popular families include Klondike (classic solitaire), Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, Golf, Yukon, Canfield, and Tri Peaks. Each family has multiple sub-variants with different rules.
Complete guide to types →Is solitaire good for your brain?
Research suggests that solitaire can improve pattern recognition, strategic thinking, and working memory. Games like FreeCell, which require planning multiple moves ahead, are particularly effective for cognitive exercise. It also provides stress relief through focused, meditative gameplay.
Try FreeCell →What is Pyramid solitaire?
Pyramid solitaire is a matching game where 28 cards are arranged in a triangular formation. Players remove pairs of exposed cards that total 13 (e.g., Queen + Ace, Jack + Two). Kings are removed individually since they equal 13 alone.
Pyramid rules and strategy →How do you win at Spider solitaire?
Build same-suit descending sequences from King to Ace within the tableau. When a complete 13-card sequence forms, it is removed. Keep columns flexible, maintain empty columns for temporary storage, and never deal from the stock while a column is empty.
Spider strategy guide →What does solitaire mean?
The word solitaire comes from the French word for 'alone' or 'solitary.' In card games, it refers to any single-player patience game. In British English, these games are more commonly called 'patience' rather than 'solitaire.'
Beginner's guide →Where can I play solitaire online for free?
Many websites offer free solitaire games. Popular options include Solitaired, Solitaire Bliss, and World of Solitaire. Most variants are also available as free mobile apps on iOS and Android. Our game pages list the best places to play each variant.
Browse all games with play links →What is Golf solitaire?
Golf is a fast-paced solitaire game where 35 cards are dealt into seven columns. Players clear the tableau by moving exposed cards to a foundation pile, building up or down regardless of suit. Games last under 5 minutes, making it perfect for quick breaks.
Golf rules and strategy →Is Klondike the same as Patience?
Klondike is one specific type of patience game, but the terms are often used interchangeably. In British English, 'patience' refers to any single-player card game. In American English, 'solitaire' is the general term, and Klondike is the most common variant people mean when they say 'solitaire.'
Klondike solitaire →How was solitaire invented?
Solitaire card games have been documented since the late 18th century in northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and Germany. The games gained massive popularity when Microsoft included Klondike in Windows 3.0 in 1990, originally to teach users mouse drag-and-drop skills.
Klondike history →What are the best solitaire strategy tips?
The most universal solitaire tips are: always uncover hidden cards first, keep empty columns available for flexibility, build foundations evenly across all suits, and think several moves ahead before committing. Specific strategies vary by game variant.
Complete strategy guide →How long does a game of solitaire take?
It depends on the variant. Golf and Pyramid take about 5 minutes. Klondike averages 10 minutes. FreeCell takes about 12 minutes. Spider can take 20 minutes or longer. Time also varies with experience — skilled players tend to play faster.
Compare game times →What is the win rate for solitaire?
Win rates vary dramatically by variant. FreeCell has the highest at nearly 99%. Klondike is winnable about 82% of the time. Spider (four-suit) drops to about 33%. Golf sits around 10%, and Pyramid is the hardest at roughly 2% of deals being solvable.
Win rate breakdown →Should I play Klondike or FreeCell?
If you enjoy a mix of luck and skill with a relaxing pace, choose Klondike. If you prefer pure logic puzzles where nearly every game is winnable through skill alone, choose FreeCell. FreeCell is more challenging but more rewarding for strategic thinkers.
Full comparison →