Klondike solitaire tips
Every deal in Calm Solitaire can be won, but some take more thought than others. These habits help you win more often and with fewer hints.
1. Uncover hidden cards first
Face-down cards are the biggest obstacle. When you have a choice, make the move that turns over a hidden card — especially in the tallest columns on the right, which hide the most cards.
2. Play Aces and Twos right away
An Ace or a Two on the foundation never blocks anything, so move them up as soon as you see them.
3. Don't rush other cards to the foundations
A 5 or 6 sitting in the tableau can still hold a 4 or 5 of the other color. Moving it up too early can leave you with nowhere to put a card later. It's usually fine to move a card up once both cards of the opposite color one rank lower are already on the foundations.
4. Think before you empty a column
An empty column can only take a King. Before you clear one, check that you have a King ready to move there — ideally one that frees up a face-down card.
5. Choose your King carefully
If you have a red King and a black King to choose from, look at which Queens are available. A black Queen needs a red King, and so on.
6. Use the stock wisely
Go through the stock when you have no useful tableau moves, but first check the tableau — a move there may free the card you need. In Draw 3, remember that playing one card from the waste changes which cards you will see on the next pass.
7. Look before you tap
Tapping moves a card to the best place automatically, which is quick. When there are two possible places, take a second to decide which one uncovers more cards.
8. Undo is your friend
There's no penalty for trying an idea and taking it back. If a line of play goes nowhere, use Undo, or Go back to a winnable point to return to a position that can still be won.
9. Start with Draw 1
Draw 1 lets you see every card in the stock and is much easier. Try Draw 3 when you want more of a challenge.
New to the game? Read how to play Klondike.