The joy of Solitaire comes from winning, but the long-term challenge comes from improving your score. Over the decades, three primary scoring models have emerged as the industry standards. My guide compares the classic Microsoft Standard, the high-stakes Vegas style, and modern time-based competitive scoring.
1. Standard (Microsoft) Scoring
Introduced with Windows 3.0, this is the most common system. It rewards moves to the foundation and tableau reveals while penalizing recycling the stock.
| Action | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Card to Tableau | +5 Points |
| Card to Foundation | +10 Points |
| Reveal Hidden Card | +5 Points |
| Foundation to Tableau | -15 Points |
| Recycle Stock (Turn One) | -100 Points |
2. Vegas-Style Scoring
This system treats the game like a casino purchase. You "buy" a deck for a set amount ($52) and receive a payout ($5) for every card moved to the foundation.
The Mathematical Breakeven
In Vegas scoring, the goal isn't just to win; it's to turn a "profit." Mathematically, you must move 11 cards to the foundations to break even. If you win the entire game (52 cards), you net a profit of $208. This model encourages aggressive foundation building, unlike Standard scoring which rewards tableau sequences.
3. Time-Based Competitive Scoring
Modern online platforms, including this one, often use a hybrid of Standard scoring with a Time Bonus. This prevents players from spending hours on a single game to maximize foundation points.
Bonus Formula
The formula often used is: (700,000 / Total Seconds). The
faster you clear the board, the higher your multiplier. This makes
speed-running a viable competitive strategy.
| Final Time | Bonus Level |
|---|---|
| Under 2 Minutes | Elite |
| 3 to 5 Minutes | Expert |
| 6 to 10 Minutes | Average |
| 10+ Minutes | Novice |
Penalties and the Undo Button
To keep play fair, most competitive scoring models apply penalties for excessive undos or hint usage.
- Undo Penalty: Often -2 points or a flat time penalty.
- Hint Penalty: Some systems deduct 10 points for every hint used.
- Stock Recycle: In Turn One, recycling heavily signals a lack of efficiency, which is why the point deduction is so severe (-100).
Choosing Your System
Traditionalists prefer Vegas for its high stakes, while those looking to maximize their rank on our global leaderboards should focus on Standard scoring with a high Time Bonus.
Scoring Pro-Tips
- Efficiency: Moving a card to the tableau (5pts) then to the foundation (10pts) earns more than moving it directly to the foundation.
- Waste First: Playing cards from the waste pile to the tableau doesn't earn points, but it unlocks cards that do.
- Foundation-to-Tableau: Avoid pulling cards back from foundations. The -15 point penalty is designed to discourage this move unless absolutely necessary for a reveal.