Frequently Asked Questions

Can you move a King to an empty column?

Yes, Kings are the only cards that can fill empty tableau columns...

What's the difference between Turn 1 and Turn 3?

Turn 1 draws one card at a time, Turn 3 draws three cards...

How many cards are in Solitaire?

Standard Klondike uses 52 cards (one full deck)...

What happens when you get stuck?

Not all Solitaire games are winnable. About 80% of Turn 1 games can be won...

Is every game of Solitaire winnable?

No. Win rates vary by variant from 5% to 99%...

What's the win rate for Klondike Turn 1?

43-52% with optimal play, the most forgiving Solitaire variant...

What's the win rate for Klondike Turn 3?

18-35% - significantly harder due to restricted card access...

What's the win rate for Yukon?

25-30% - no stock pile, all cards dealt at start...

What's the win rate for Russian?

10-15% - same-suit building makes this very challenging...

What's the win rate for Forty Thieves?

10% (1 in 10) - single-card moves and one pass make it brutal...

What's the win rate for Accordion?

~1% (1 in 100) - simple rules but nearly impossible to win...

When can you lead with Hearts?

Hearts can be led after hearts have been "broken"...

Can you play Hearts on the first trick?

No. Hearts and the Queen of Spades cannot be played on the first trick...

What is shooting the moon?

Taking all 26 penalty points to give opponents +26 each...

Why is the Queen of Spades worth 13 points?

The Q♠ equals all hearts combined, making it strategically significant...

What is a good score in Hearts?

Average is 6-7 points per hand. A good hand scores 0-3 points...

Can you lead Spades before they're broken?

In most variants, no - unless you only have spades left...

What is Nil in Spades?

Bidding zero tricks - risky but worth 100 points if successful...

How do bags work in Spades?

Overtricks accumulate. At 10 bags, you lose 100 points...

What is a good score in Spades?

Teams score 60-80 points per hand when making their bid...

What is "Gin" in Gin Rummy?

A perfect hand with all 10 cards in melds and zero deadwood...

What's the best Solitaire for beginners?

Klondike Turn 1 - familiar rules and high win rate...