strategybeginnerclassic

Solitaire Strategy Guide: Win More Games of Klondike

By PlayMore Team3 min read

Introduction

Klondike Solitaire is the classic single-player card game that's been a desktop staple for decades. The goal is to move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. While luck plays a role in which cards you're dealt, strategy determines how often you win. Here's how to improve your game on PlayMore.gg.

Always Play Aces and Twos Immediately

Whenever an Ace appears, move it to the foundation right away. The same goes for Twos if their matching Ace is already in the foundation. These low cards will never be useful in the tableau, so there's no reason to hold them back.

Uncover Face-Down Cards First

Your primary goal in the tableau should be revealing face-down cards. A column with many hidden cards limits your options. When choosing between two equally valid moves, prefer the one that flips a new card. More visible cards mean more possible moves.

Don't Empty a Column Without a King

An empty tableau column can only be filled with a King (or a stack starting with a King). If you don't have a King ready to place, emptying a column wastes a valuable spot. Wait until you have a King available before creating empty columns.

Think Before Moving to Foundations

It's tempting to move every card to the foundation as soon as possible, but sometimes cards are more useful in the tableau. A red 6 in the foundation can't help you stack a black 7 in the tableau. As a general rule, don't move cards above 2 to the foundation unless both cards of the opposite color with a value one lower are already in the foundation.

Alternate Colors Thoughtfully

When building descending sequences in the tableau, you have a choice of two colors at each step. Think about which suits you'll need later. If you need to place a red 8, consider whether the Heart or Diamond 8 would be more useful based on what you can see in the other columns.

Use the Stock Pile Wisely

In draw-3 mode, you can only access every third card from the stock pile. Before drawing, check if you can make any moves in the tableau first. Going through the stock pile changes which cards are accessible on the next pass, so timing matters.

Undo is Your Friend

PlayMore.gg's Solitaire includes an undo feature. Don't be afraid to use it when a move doesn't work out. Sometimes you need to try a move to see its consequences, then undo and try a different approach. This is especially useful when deciding which of two moves to make.

Watch for Stuck States

Sometimes a game is unwinnable no matter what you do — the cards are simply dealt in an impossible configuration. If you've gone through the stock pile multiple times without making any new moves and the tableau is locked up, it's time to start a new game rather than waste time.

Build Long Sequences

Try to build complete King-to-Ace sequences in the tableau when possible. A long, organized sequence is easier to move to the foundation later and keeps the tableau tidy. The ideal endgame has all cards face-up and sorted, allowing the auto-complete to finish the job.

Conclusion

Winning at Klondike Solitaire consistently comes down to making smart choices about which cards to move and when. Prioritize uncovering hidden cards, manage your foundations carefully, and don't rush. With practice, you'll find your win rate climbing steadily.

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