What is a Tableau in Solitaire?
Tableau
The main playing area in Solitaire consisting of seven columns where cards are arranged and manipulated. In Klondike Solitaire, the tableau starts with one card in the first column, two in the second, and so on up to seven cards in the seventh column.
How the Tableau Works
The tableau is where most of the action happens in a game of Solitaire. Cards in the tableau can be moved according to specific rules:
- Cards must be stacked in descending order (King, Queen, Jack, 10...)
- Cards must alternate between red and black colors
- Only Kings can be placed in empty tableau columns
- Face-down cards are revealed when the card on top is moved
Example
You have a red 7 of Hearts showing. You can place a black 6 (Clubs or Spades) on top of it. Then a red 5 (Hearts or Diamonds) could go on that black 6.
Tableau in Different Solitaire Variants
The tableau works differently depending on which Solitaire variant you're playing:
- Klondike: 7 columns, alternating colors, only top card or sequences can move (43-52% win rate)
- Yukon: Any face-up card can move with all cards on top of it (25-30% win rate)
- Russian: Same-suit building only, making it much harder (10-15% win rate)
- Forty Thieves: 10 columns, single-card moves only (10% win rate)
Strategy Tips for the Tableau
Mastering tableau management is key to winning Solitaire:
- Prioritize revealing face-down cards over moving to the foundation
- Keep columns balanced - don't stack everything in one column
- Be strategic about when to create empty columns (they're valuable!)