How to Play Solitaire: A Beginner’s Guide

Learn how to play Solitaire with this beginner-friendly guide. Understand the rules, setup, and best strategies to win.

Solitaire is a classic single-player card game that requires strategy and patience. This guide explains the rules, setup, and winning strategies in a simple and easy-to-follow format.

Objective

Move all cards to the four foundation piles, arranging them by suit in ascending order from Ace to King.

Setup

• Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck (without Jokers).
• Tableau (Playing Area): Set up 7 columns with increasing cards (1 to 7). Only the top card in each column remains face-up.
• Stockpile: Place the remaining cards face-down in a draw pile.
• Foundation Piles: Start empty. Build each suit from Ace to King.
• Waste Pile: Holds unused drawn cards.

Rules of Solitaire

• Arrange tableau cards in descending order (King → Queen → Jack → … → 2 → Ace) with alternating colors (red on black, black on red).
• Only Kings can move into empty tableau spaces.
• Move Aces to the foundation first, then continue building each suit in order.
• If no moves are available, draw from the stockpile. You can flip 1 or 3 cards, depending on the version.
• You win when all four foundations are complete. If no more moves exist, the game ends.

Best Strategies & Winning Tips

• Uncover face-down cards early to open new moves.
• Move Aces & Twos to foundations quickly to free space.
• Use empty columns wisely by placing Kings strategically.
• Think ahead before making a move to avoid blocking sequences.
• Draw from the stockpile when stuck to refresh your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Solitaire is easy to learn but challenging to master. With practice, you’ll improve your strategy and win more often. Play different variations and enjoy the game.

Play Classic Solitaire Online for Free – No Download Needed: Google Solitaire