Solitaire tips for beginners
These tips are for classic Klondike solitaire, the game on this site. None of them need quick thinking or fast hands. They help you make a better choice, one move at a time.
1. Turn over hidden cards first
A face-down card is a card you cannot use yet. When you can choose between two moves, pick the one that turns a card face up. The longer columns start with more hidden cards, up to six, so give them extra attention.
2. Look at the whole table before you draw
Before you tap the draw pile, check every column for a move. A card on the table is often easier to free than a card deep in the draw pile.
3. Don't hurry cards to the foundations
Aces and Twos can always go up right away. With higher cards, wait a moment: a red Six in a column can hold a black Five later. If you need a card back, you can move it from a foundation down to a column.
4. Empty a column only when a King is ready
An empty column takes only a King, or a run of cards that starts with a King. If no King is free, an empty column does not help you. Decide first which King will go there.
5. Choose the right King
If a red King and a black King are both free, look at the Queens. A free black Queen needs a red King, and a free red Queen needs a black King. Choose the King that lets you move more cards.
6. Move a run only when it helps
Moving a run of cards to another column is useful when it uncovers a hidden card or empties a column for a King. Otherwise, the move changes nothing.
7. Use Undo and Hint freely
On this site, Undo has no limit and costs nothing. When you are not sure, try a move and undo it if it does not help. When you are stuck, press Hint to see a possible move.
8. Start with one-card draw
Drawing one card at a time is easier than drawing three. With one-card draw, you can reach every card in the draw pile. With three-card draw, many cards stay out of reach. You can change this in Settings, and it applies to your next game.
Not every game can be won
Some deals cannot be won, even by the best players. If you are still stuck after trying Undo and Hint, start a new game. A lost game does not mean you played badly.