How to play Classic Solitaire
Classic Solitaire — also known as Klondike — is the solitaire everyone knows, the one that shipped with every computer for decades. The goal is simple: move all 52 cards up to the four foundations, one per suit, each built in order from ace to king.
The board deals into seven tableau columns. Only the bottom card of each column starts face-up; the rest reveal themselves as you clear the cards on top. Build downward runs of alternating colours on the tableau — a red six goes on a black seven, a black five on a red six, and so on. When a column empties, only a king (or a run headed by a king) may move into the gap.
The stock sits top-left. Tap it to flip the next card to the waste pile, and play that card onto a foundation or a tableau run. When the stock runs out, tap the empty space to recycle the waste and go through it again.
Controls — drag or tap
Every card responds two ways, so play however feels natural:
- Drag and drop — pick up a card or a whole valid run and drop it on any legal pile. A teal outline shows when the target will accept the move; let go anywhere over the foundation row and the card snaps to its matching suit.
- Tap to auto-move — a single tap sends a card to the best legal spot, foundation first. It’s the fastest way to play on a phone.
Made a mistake? Undo is unlimited — walk back as many moves as you like to test a line before committing. When every card is finally face-up, an Auto-finish button appears to sweep the rest home in one go.
Strategy tips
Turn over face-down cards before anything else — every hidden card you flip opens new options, while rushing cards to the foundations too early can strand you.
Empty a column when you can. An open column is the most valuable real estate in Klondike: it parks a king, frees a buried card, or stages a run you can’t place yet. But don’t empty one with no king ready to fill it.
Don’t send every ace and deuce up the moment you see them. Low cards on the tableau are useful landing spots for the opposite colour — keep a red two around if it helps you unload black aces later. Deal through the stock early to scout what’s coming, and lean on undo to try a risky line without losing your board.