Solitaire (or Patience) is the most-played card game category in the world. From Napoleon's exile to Microsoft Windows, here's how single-player card games conquered the world.
Solitaire vs Patience: What's the Difference?
| Term | Region | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Patience | British/European | Any single-player card game |
| Solitaire | American | Same meaning, derived from French "solitaire" (lone) |
| Klondike | Universal | The specific game most call "Solitaire" |
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1780s | First written references to patience games |
| 1801 | Napoleon plays patience in exile (legend) |
| 1870 | Klondike named after Gold Rush region |
| 1890s | First solitaire rule books published |
| 1968 | FreeCell invented |
| 1990 | Microsoft Windows Solitaire released |
| 2012 | Microsoft removes Solitaire from Windows 8 (outrage ensues) |
Origins in Europe (1780s)
Patience games first appeared in northern Europe, likely Scandinavia or Germany, in the late 1700s. Early evidence:
- 1783: German anthology mentions patience game rules
- France: Popularized in Parisian salons
- Cartomancy: Some patience games used for fortune-telling
Napoleon's Patience
Legend holds that Napoleon Bonaparte played patience obsessively during his exile on St. Helena (1815-1821). Several games bear his name or era:
- Napoleon at St. Helena (Forty Thieves)
- Josephine (named for his wife)
- Napoleon's Square
The Victorian Era (1837-1901)
Solitaire exploded in popularity during Queen Victoria's reign:
- Prince Albert popularized patience at court
- First comprehensive rule books published
- Hundreds of variants documented
Evolution of Popular Variants
Klondike (1870s)
Named after the Klondike Gold Rush region in Canada. Became synonymous with "Solitaire" in America. Available at OnlineCardGames.io in both Turn 1 and Turn 3 variants.
FreeCell (1968)
Invented by Paul Alfille for the PLATO educational computer system. FreeCell is notable for being almost entirely skill-based - 99.999% of deals are solvable.
Other Families
- Yukon Family: Yukon, Russian, Alaska
- FreeCell Family: FreeCell, Baker's Game, Eight Off
- Forty Thieves Family: Forty Thieves, Josephine
The Microsoft Revolution (1990)
When Microsoft bundled Solitaire with Windows 3.0, it changed gaming history:
- Original purpose: Teach mouse clicking and dragging
- Result: Became the most-played computer game ever
- Legacy: Introduced millions to digital card games
By 2020, Microsoft Solitaire had over 35 million monthly players.