How to Play Klondike Solitaire (and Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks)

By Nesim Razon, independent Android developer

Klondike is the solitaire most people picture: seven piles, a stock and four foundations. The rules take two minutes to learn, and a few habits will win you far more games. Below are the Klondike rules, then a short primer on the other three games in Cardles.

Klondike: the goal and the layout

Build four foundation piles, one per suit, from Ace up to King. The cards are dealt into seven columns (the tableau) with only the top card of each column face up. The rest of the deck is the stock.

Klondike: how to move cards

• On the tableau, build down in alternating colors: a red 6 goes on a black 7.
• You can move a whole run of correctly ordered cards together.
• Only a King (or a run starting with a King) can go into an empty column.
• Turn over the stock (one or three cards at a time) to find playable cards. Cards in the waste pile can be played from the top.
• Move cards to the foundations whenever it is safe, starting with Aces.

Klondike tips

• Uncover the face-down cards first, especially in the tallest columns: hidden cards are what block you.
• Do not empty a column unless you have a King ready to fill it.
• Moving Aces and 2s to the foundations early is usually right; later on, some cards are more useful staying on the tableau.
• Use undo freely to try a line and step back. Hints in Cardles follow a real solution.

The other games in Cardles

• Spider: build down in the same suit from King to Ace to remove a full run. Play with 1, 2 or 4 suits; one suit is relaxing, four suits is a real brain-burner.
• FreeCell: all cards are face up and you have four free cells to park single cards. Plan several moves ahead. Every deal in Cardles is solvable.
• TriPeaks: clear three peaks by playing cards that are one higher or one lower than the card on the waste pile. Chain plays for streak bonuses.