What is the Win Rate for Alaska Solitaire?
15-20% Win Rate
Alaska Solitaire is a hybrid variant that combines Yukon-style movement with same-suit building, but adds the flexibility of building both up AND down.
What Makes Alaska Different
Alaska is a unique middle ground between Yukon and Russian:
- Same-suit building: Like Russian, cards must match suits
- Bidirectional: Unlike Russian, you can build UP or DOWN by suit
- Yukon movement: Any face-up card moves with all cards above it
- All cards dealt: No stock pile, everything visible from start
Key Strategy
The ability to build both up and down means you can create "reverse paths"—build a column down to access a buried card, then build back up when needed. This flexibility is Alaska's defining feature.
Alaska vs Russian: Why It's Easier
Both require same-suit building, but Alaska's bidirectional rule adds ~5% win rate:
- In Russian, a 7♥ can only go on 8♥ (building down)
- In Alaska, a 7♥ can go on 8♥ OR 6♥ (building down or up)
- This doubles your placement options per card
The Yukon Family Comparison
| Variant | Win Rate | Building Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 25-30% | Alternating colors, down only |
| Alaska | 15-20% | Same suit, up or down |
| Russian | 10-15% | Same suit, down only |