Other solitaire games
Types of solitaire
Solitaire is a whole family of card games for one person. Here are the best known, what each is about and how hard it tends to be.
The most popular solitaire games are Klondike (the classic), Spider, FreeCell, Yukon, Pyramid, TriPeaks, Golf, Canfield, Forty Thieves and Scorpion. They differ in how many cards they use, whether you can see them all, and whether you build down in columns, pair cards off or clear a layout.
The ten games
Klondike
The classic that most people mean by solitaire. Seven columns, a stock and four foundations, building down in alternating colors. Played with draw 1 or draw 3. Learn it here and play it in your browser.
Spider
Two decks, ten columns, and you build down regardless of suit, but only same-suit runs move together. The goal is to remove eight full runs from king to ace. Spider rules.
FreeCell
All 52 cards are face up from the start, and four free cells hold cards temporarily. Almost every deal can be won, so it is about thinking. FreeCell rules.
Yukon
Like Klondike with no stock, and you may move any face-up card with the cards on it, in order or not. Yukon rules.
Pyramid
Pairs of cards that add up to 13 are removed from a pyramid layout. Pyramid rules.
TriPeaks
Three overlapping peaks, and you clear cards one rank higher or lower than the waste card. TriPeaks rules.
Golf
Seven columns of five cards face up; play cards one rank above or below the waste card. Golf rules.
Canfield
Similar to Klondike, with a reserve pile of 13 cards and a foundation that starts at a base card chosen at the deal. It is hard to win.
Forty Thieves
Two decks, ten columns of four cards, and eight foundations. It builds down by suit and moves one card at a time, with only one pass through the stock.
Scorpion
Seven columns that build down in suit, where you may move any card along with the cards on top of it, and the spare cards are dealt once at the end.
How to choose
- Relaxing and familiar: Klondike with draw 1.
- A real challenge: Klondike with draw 3, Spider with more suits or Canfield.
- Thinking, little luck: FreeCell.
- Quick and simple: Pyramid, TriPeaks or Golf.
This site and the Solitaire: Classic Klondike app are about Klondike. If you are new, start with solitaire for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular solitaire games?
Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Yukon, Pyramid, TriPeaks and Golf are among the most played.
Which solitaire game is the easiest?
Klondike with draw 1 is the easiest to learn. FreeCell is easy to win once you learn it.
Which solitaire game is the hardest to win?
Canfield and Klondike with draw 3 are among the harder ones.
What is the original solitaire game?
Klondike is the best known, but patience games are older. See the history of solitaire.