Klondike is the most popular solitaire variant in the world. While the goal is simple – move all cards to the four foundation piles – the rules governing how you get there require precision. My guide covers the setup, movement, and winning conditions for the "Turn One" version of the game.
The Objective
To win a game of Klondike, you must build four foundation piles (one for each suit) in ascending numerical order, starting with the Ace and ending with the King.
The Setup (The Deal)
The game uses a standard 52-card deck. At the start, 28 cards are dealt into seven tableau columns:
- Column 1 has 1 card face up.
- Column 2 has 1 face down, 1 face up.
- Column 3 has 2 face down, 1 face up.
- ...and so on, until Column 7 has 6 face down and 1 face up.
Rules of the Tableau
The tableau is where the majority of gameplay occurs. You can move cards according to these specific rules:
| Rule Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Cards must be in descending order (e.g., 9 on a 10) |
| Color | Cards must be of alternating colors (Red on Black, Black on Red) |
| Stacking | You can move partial or full stacks of revealed cards |
| Empty Columns | Only a King can be placed in an empty column |
The Stock & Waste Piles
The remaining 24 cards form the Stock. In the "Turn One" variant:
- You draw one card at a time from the stock and place it into the waste pile.
- The top card of the waste pile is available to be moved to either the tableau or the foundations.
- You can recycle the stock pile an infinite number of times.
The Foundations
The foundations are built by suit. You start with the Ace of a suit. Once an Ace is in place, you can add the 2, then the 3, and so on. Cards moved to the foundation can be moved back to the tableau if needed, though this is rare in basic play.
Winning the Game
The game ends when all 52 cards are correctly placed into the four foundation piles. On this website, we celebrate your victory with a cascading card animation, a classic tradition in digital Solitaire.
Movement Pro-Tips
- Auto-Move: If you double-click a card, the game will automatically move it to the foundation if a valid spot exists.
- Reveal First: Always move cards within the tableau to reveal hidden cards before drawing from the stock.
- Infinite Stock: Because Turn One allows infinite recycling, never feel rushed. The card you need will come around again.