What is Klondike Solitaire?
Klondike
The most popular Solitaire variant, often simply called "Solitaire." Named after the Klondike region of Canada where gold rush miners played it in the 1890s. Uses one deck, seven tableau columns, and alternating color stacking.
Klondike Setup
- Tableau: 7 columns with 1-7 cards each (28 total), only top card face-up
- Stock: Remaining 24 cards face-down
- Foundation: 4 empty piles for building Ace to King by suit
Klondike Rules
- Build tableau columns in descending order with alternating colors
- Move sequences of face-up cards together
- Only Kings can fill empty tableau columns
- Draw from stock to waste pile (1 or 3 cards at a time)
- Build foundations from Ace to King by suit
Win Condition
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, each containing Ace through King of one suit.
Klondike Variants
- Turn 1 (Draw 1): Draw one card at a time - 43-52% winnable
- Turn 3 (Draw 3): Draw three cards, play top only - 18-35% winnable
- Vegas Style: Limited passes through the deck, cash scoring
Why Is It Called Klondike?
The name comes from the Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899) in Yukon, Canada. Miners needed entertainment during long winters, and this Solitaire variant became extremely popular in mining camps. The name stuck, though most people today just call it "Solitaire."