Classic Solitaire
The original card game — free in your browser, no download required.
What is Classic Solitaire?
Classic solitaire is Klondike — the card game Microsoft bundled with Windows 3.0 in 1990 to teach users how to use a mouse. It instantly became the most-played computer game in history, and the name "solitaire" became synonymous with it.
The rules haven't changed in over 30 years: seven tableau columns, a stock pile in the upper-left, and four empty foundation slots in the upper-right. Move all 52 cards to the foundations in suit order from Ace to King and you win.
Our version is free, runs in any browser with no download, and includes a daily challenge with global leaderboard so there's always something fresh to play.
How to Play Classic Solitaire
Set up the tableau
Seven piles are dealt left to right. Pile 1 has 1 card (face-up), pile 2 has 2 (bottom face-down, top face-up), up to pile 7 with 7 cards. Remaining 24 cards form the stock.
Build tableau columns
Stack cards in descending order (King down to Ace) alternating red and black suits. For example, a black 7 can go on a red 8.
Send Aces to foundations
Move any Ace to a foundation slot the moment it's uncovered. Build each foundation up by suit: A → 2 → 3 → … → K.
Flip the stock
Click the stock pile to turn over cards (1 or 3 at a time, depending on difficulty). Cycle through the stock as many times as needed.
Move full or partial columns
You can drag a sequence of correctly-ordered cards from one tableau pile to another. Only Kings can fill an empty column.
Win the game
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles. The game ends with a satisfying win screen — and a bouncing card animation if you haven't seen it yet.
Tips to Win More Often
- ✦Expose face-down cards first — each flip opens new possibilities.
- ✦Don't rush Aces to foundations if keeping them in the tableau gives you more flexibility.
- ✦Empty columns are powerful: only Kings can move there, so plan around what Kings you need.
- ✦Avoid flipping stock cards mindlessly — each pass through the stock you ignore is a wasted move.
- ✦In draw-3 mode, count the deck. Knowing which cards are buried helps you plan around them.
- ✦Use auto-complete when available: if all cards are face-up, the game can finish itself.
More Solitaire Games to Try
Love classic solitaire? These variants offer the same satisfying card-moving gameplay with a twist.
FreeCell
All cards face-up. Every deal is winnable.
Spider
Two decks, 10 columns, harder and more rewarding.
Yukon
No stock pile. Every card is face-up from deal.
TriPeaks
Fast and casual. Clear the pyramid in one run.
Pyramid
Pair cards that add to 13. Pure puzzle logic.
Canfield
Tight dealing rules, notoriously difficult to win.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is classic solitaire?
- Classic solitaire is Klondike — the card game bundled with Windows 3.0 in 1990 that introduced a generation to solitaire on computers. You deal seven tableau columns, one stock pile, and four foundation piles. Build the foundations up from Ace to King by suit to win.
- Is classic solitaire the same as Klondike?
- Yes. When most people say 'classic solitaire' or 'Windows solitaire,' they mean Klondike. The name Klondike comes from the Klondike region of Yukon, Canada, and was standardized well before Microsoft popularized it.
- Can I play classic solitaire without downloading anything?
- Yes — Mr. Solitaire runs entirely in your browser. There's nothing to install, no app to update. Open the site on any phone, tablet, or computer and you're playing instantly.
- What are the rules of classic solitaire?
- Seven tableau piles start with 1–7 cards, only the top card face-up. Build tableau columns in descending rank alternating red/black. Move Aces to foundations immediately and build each foundation up by suit (A-2-3...K). Flip cards from the stock one or three at a time.
- How do I win classic solitaire?
- Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. The game ends when foundations are complete or no more legal moves remain.
- What is the win rate in classic solitaire?
- About 79% of Klondike deals are theoretically winnable (draw-1 variant). In practice, most players win 30–50% of games because some solvable positions require foresight that's hard to spot.
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