Solitaire

Strategy

Solitaire strategy: how to win more often

Good solitaire players do not rely on luck. They follow a short order of priorities on every move. This guide gives you that order and the reasons behind it.

Short answer

On every turn, first scan the whole table. Then prefer moves in this order: play aces and 2s up, make the move that turns over a face-down card (favoring the column with the most hidden cards), make other column moves that open options, and only then use the stock. Keep empty columns for kings and move cards up to the foundations carefully.

The priority order

  1. Scan first. Look at the whole table before you touch a card: aces and 2s, columns with many hidden cards, and the moves you can make.
  2. Aces and 2s up. They are rarely needed in the columns, so send them to the foundations.
  3. Uncover a hidden card. If a move turns over a face-down card, it usually beats a move that does not. Choose the column with the most hidden cards first.
  4. Other column moves. Prefer moves that make a column shorter, join runs or create an opening for a king.
  5. The stock last. Draw only when the table has nothing left. See using undo to look ahead.

This order is a guide, not a law. When two moves tie, think one step ahead: which one keeps more options open?

Uncover hidden cards

Hidden cards are the only real unknowns in the game, and every one you turn over can unlock a move. Early on, work on the tall columns. Be careful, though: if you can uncover a card from either of two columns, check whether the card you would move is needed to hold another card.

Move the whole run from the 9 of spades down, onto the red 10
9♠♠
8♥♥
7♣♣
6♦♦
10♥♥
Moving this whole run onto the red 10 uncovers the face-down card below the 9 of spades, a good example of a move that opens a hidden card.

Be careful with empty columns

An empty column helps only if a king can go into it. If no king is available, an empty column does nothing. Do not empty a column on purpose without a king in sight. See how to use empty columns.

Move to the foundations with care

Cards on the foundations are out of play. Sometimes a card is more useful in the columns, holding a lower card of the opposite color. Send aces and 2s up at once, and think before you send higher cards. See foundation strategy.

Use the stock wisely

Drawing is information you cannot take back. Before you draw, make sure there is no move on the table. In draw 3, remember which cards are in which group of three, so you can plan for the next pass. See how to win turn 3.

Accept that some deals cannot be won

Even perfect play cannot win every deal. If you are stuck, it may be the deal and not you. Try winnable deals to practice on games that can be won. Read is solitaire always winnable.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best strategy for solitaire?

Scan the table, play aces and 2s up, uncover hidden cards first, use the stock last and keep empty columns for kings.

Should I always move to the foundations?

Aces and 2s, yes. For higher cards, check that the card is not needed to hold a lower card in the columns.

Does strategy matter in solitaire?

Yes. Good play wins many deals that careless play loses, though some deals cannot be won.

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