Klondike Solitaire.

KLONDIKE SOLITAIRE

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between 'Solitaire' and 'Klondike Solitaire'?

   Klondike Solitaire is the most common and classic version of Solitaire. The term 'Solitaire' can refer to a variety of single-player card games, but when people say 'Solitaire' they are most often referring to Klondike.

2. What are the basic rules of Klondike Solitaire?

   The objective is to move all cards to four foundation piles, one for each suit, in ascending order from Ace to King. Cards can be moved on the tableau (the main playing area) in descending order while alternating colors.

3. How do you set up a game of Klondike Solitaire?

   You use one 52-card deck. Deal 28 cards into seven tableau piles. The first pile has one card, the second has two, and so on, up to seven. The top card of each pile is face up, and the rest are face down. The remaining cards form the stock pile.

4. How is Klondike Solitaire different from Spider Solitaire?

   Klondike is played with a single deck of 52 cards, while Spider Solitaire is played with two decks, totaling 104 cards. The goal in Klondike is to build four foundations by suit, while in Spider the goal is to build eight complete sequences of cards in descending order from King to Ace on the tableau.

5. What are the four main areas in a Klondike Solitaire game?

   The four main areas are: the Tableau (the seven columns where most of the gameplay occurs), the Stock (the face-down pile of remaining cards), the Waste (where cards from the stock are placed face up), and the Foundations (the four piles where you build up the suits from Ace to King).

6. Is every game of Klondike Solitaire winnable?

   No, not every game is winnable. The game is a mix of skill and luck, and some card arrangements make it impossible to win, even with the best strategy. The probability of winning for experienced players is estimated to be around 15-25%.

7. What is a good strategy to win at Klondike Solitaire?

   A good strategy includes prioritizing the uncovering of face-down cards on the tableau, building the foundation piles whenever possible, and carefully planning your moves. Avoid filling empty columns with cards that don't serve a strategic purpose, and be cautious about blocking kings.

8. What is the 'Draw 1' rule versus the 'Draw 3' rule?

   'Draw 1' is a variation where you draw one card at a time from the stock pile to the waste pile. 'Draw 3' is a more difficult variation where you draw three cards at a time, and only the top card of the three is available to be played.

9. What are some of the scoring rules in Klondike Solitaire?

   Typical scoring includes points for moving cards. For example: 5 points for moving a card from the waste to the tableau, 10 points for moving a card from the waste or tableau to a foundation, and 5 points for turning over a face-down card on the tableau.

10. What is the difference between 'Klondike' and 'Patience'?

    They are different terms for the same type of card game. 'Patience' is the term more commonly used in the UK, while 'Klondike' and 'Solitaire' are more familiar in the US.