Core Rules of Klondike Solitaire
Klondike is the definitive version of solitaire — the variant most people mean when they simply say “solitaire.” It is played with a single standard 52-card deck. The objective is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, one per suit, built in ascending order from Ace to King.
The Playing Areas
- Tableau: Seven columns of cards. Column 1 has 1 card, column 2 has 2, and so on up to 7. Only the top card of each column is face-up.
- Foundation: Four empty piles where you build each suit from Ace through King.
- Stock: The remaining 24 cards, placed face-down.
- Waste: A face-up discard pile where drawn stock cards are placed.
Objective
Build all four foundation piles from Ace to King, each in a single suit. When all 52 cards are on the foundation, you win.
Valid Moves
Understanding which moves are legal is essential to playing correctly.
Tableau Building
- Cards on the tableau are stacked in descending rank and alternating colors. A red 6 goes on a black 7. A black Jack goes on a red Queen.
- You may move a single face-up card or an entire properly ordered sequence from one column to another, provided the bottom card of the sequence fits legally on the destination card.
- When a face-down card becomes the topmost card in a column, flip it face-up immediately.
Foundation Building
- Each foundation pile starts with an Ace and is built upward in the same suit: A♥, 2♥, 3♥ … K♥.
- You may move the top card of any tableau column or the top card of the waste to a foundation pile if it continues that pile’s sequence.
- Once a card is on the foundation, some rule sets allow you to move it back to the tableau; others do not. The most common digital implementations allow it.
Stock and Waste
- Draw from the stock to the waste pile. Only the top card of the waste pile is available for play.
- In Draw 1 mode, you flip one card at a time from the stock.
- In Draw 3 mode, you flip three cards at a time, and only the topmost is playable.
Empty Columns
- Only a King (or a sequence led by a King) may be placed in an empty tableau column.
Invalid Moves
- Placing a card of the same color on another (e.g., red on red) on the tableau.
- Placing a lower-rank card beneath a higher-rank card on the tableau in violation of descending order.
- Starting a foundation pile with anything other than an Ace.
- Playing a face-down card without first uncovering it.
- Moving cards from the middle of a tableau sequence that is not properly ordered.
Scoring Systems
Solitaire has three widely recognized scoring systems. The one in use depends on the platform, software, or house rules being followed.
Standard Scoring
Standard scoring is the system most digital solitaire games use by default. Points are awarded and deducted as follows:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Waste to tableau | +5 |
| Waste to foundation | +10 |
| Tableau to foundation | +10 |
| Flip a face-down tableau card | +5 |
| Foundation back to tableau | −15 |
| Each pass through the stock (after the first) in Draw 1 | −100 |
| Each pass through the stock (after the third) in Draw 3 | −20 |
Starting score: 0 points. There is no upper limit. A perfect game under standard scoring typically yields around 700 to 750 points before any time bonus.
Vegas Scoring
Vegas scoring simulates a casino-style wager. You “buy” the deck for a fixed amount and earn money for each card placed on the foundation.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost to play (buy-in) | −$52 |
| Each card moved to the foundation | +$5 |
| Maximum possible payout (all 52 cards) | $260 |
| Maximum net profit | $208 |
In Vegas mode, you are typically limited to one pass through the stock (Draw 1) or three passes (Draw 3). This restriction makes the game significantly harder and turns every stock draw into a meaningful decision.
Vegas scoring is popular with players who enjoy a higher-stakes feel. Over many games, tracking your cumulative balance provides a clear measure of long-term skill.
Time-Bonus Scoring
Some implementations add a time bonus to standard scoring. The faster you finish, the more bonus points you receive. The most common formula, used by classic Windows Solitaire, is:
$$\text{Time Bonus} = \frac{700{,}000}{\text{seconds to finish}}$$
For example, finishing a game in 200 seconds earns a bonus of 3,500 points. Finishing in 100 seconds earns 7,000 points. The time bonus incentivizes not just winning but winning efficiently.
Games that take longer than about 10 minutes typically receive a negligible bonus, while extremely fast wins can add thousands of points to your total.
Scoring Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Standard | Vegas | Time-Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting value | 0 points | −$52 | 0 points |
| Points per foundation card | +10 | +$5 | +10 |
| Penalty for recycling stock | Yes | N/A (limited passes) | Yes |
| Time factor | No | No | Yes |
| Skill measure | Cumulative score | Net profit/loss | Speed + score |
| Best for | Casual play | High-stakes feel | Competitive play |
Draw 1 vs. Draw 3: Rule Variations
The choice between Draw 1 and Draw 3 is the single biggest rule variation in Klondike solitaire, and it dramatically changes the game’s difficulty and strategy.
Draw 1
- You flip one card at a time from the stock to the waste.
- You see every card in the stock each pass, giving you maximum information and flexibility.
- Most rule sets allow unlimited passes through the stock.
- Estimated win rate: 40–50% for experienced players.
Draw 3
- You flip three cards at a time; only the top card is playable.
- Two out of every three cards in each pass are initially inaccessible, requiring you to manipulate the waste pile strategically.
- Usually limited to three passes through the stock, though some rule sets allow unlimited passes.
- Estimated win rate: 10–20% for experienced players.
Draw 3 is the standard rule in competitive and traditional play. Draw 1 is a friendlier option for casual players and beginners.
How Scoring Adjusts
Under standard scoring, the stock-recycling penalty is harsher for Draw 1 (−100 per extra pass) than for Draw 3 (−20 per extra pass after the third). This balances the scoring by discouraging players from cycling through the easier Draw 1 stock endlessly.
How Scoring Differs by Variant
While this guide focuses on Klondike, many other solitaire variants have their own scoring conventions:
-
FreeCell: Most implementations do not use a point-based scoring system. Instead, games are tracked as wins or losses. Because nearly every FreeCell deal is winnable (an estimated 99.999%), the challenge is maintaining a perfect or near-perfect win streak.
-
Spider Solitaire: Typically scored by starting with a base score (often 500) and deducting one point per move. Completing a full King-to-Ace run of a single suit awards bonus points. The goal is to finish with the highest score possible, which means completing the game in the fewest moves.
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TriPeaks: Points are awarded per card cleared, with a streak multiplier for consecutive cards. Clearing long streaks without breaking the chain is the key to high scores.
-
Pyramid: Points are based on the number of cards cleared from the pyramid. Clearing the entire pyramid awards a large bonus.
Each variant brings its own scoring philosophy, but the core solitaire principle remains the same: make smart decisions, minimize wasted moves, and build toward a complete solution.
Putting It All Together
Understanding the rules and scoring of solitaire transforms it from a casual card-flipping exercise into a game of real depth. Whether you prefer the relaxed pace of standard scoring, the high-stakes tension of Vegas mode, or the competitive pressure of time bonuses, knowing how points are earned and lost helps you make better decisions on every turn.
For strategies that will help you maximize your score, see our solitaire strategy and tips guide. If you are just getting started, our how to play solitaire article walks you through the basics step by step.