How to Play Klondike Solitaire

Moving cards

On a small screen, tap a face-up card once to move it automatically when a move is available. The game tries a foundation first, then the first available playing column. If no automatic move is available, the card is selected so you can tap its destination. A thick outline shows the selected card. Tap it again, or press Escape, to cancel.

You can also drag cards. On a larger screen, double-click a card to use the same automatic move. Automatically activating the first card in a correctly ordered group moves the whole group when a destination is available.

The seven playing columns

The seven rows of cards in the middle are called the playing columns. Build downward, alternating red and black. A red seven can go on a black eight. You may move a correctly ordered group together.

Only a King, or a group beginning with a King, can move into an empty column.

Foundations

Any Ace can start any empty foundation. Build that pile upward in the same suit. If needed, you may move the top foundation card back to a playing column; a completely emptied foundation can start again with any Ace.

Stock and waste

Tap the face-down stock to turn over one card. When it is empty, tap it again to return the waste cards to the stock. There is no limit on passes.

Help while playing

Undo reverses your last move. When a useful move is available, Hint highlights it but never moves a card for you. Cards resize automatically for your screen. In Settings, you can choose Standard, Large, or Extra Large cards and also change contrast, motion, and sound.

Difficulty levels

Very Easy deals place two Aces in the stock and two within easy reach in the playing columns. Lower cards are kept easier to uncover, while the full deck remains randomized around a guaranteed path to victory. Easy deals start with one face-up Ace, place the other Aces within easier reach, and offer more helpful opening moves. Normal deals keep Aces accessible while providing a more varied, balanced opening. Hard deals begin with fewer obvious opportunities. The rules never change. Easy, Normal, and Hard deals may not always be winnable.

Choose a level in Settings. It applies to your next new game; restarting keeps the same cards and difficulty.

Keyboard controls

Use Tab to move between controls and cards. Press Enter or Space to activate an item. Escape cancels a selection. U undoes, H shows a hint, and N starts a new game after confirmation.