How to Play Solitaire Like a Pro
While Solitaire does involve a degree of luck based on how the cards are shuffled, your choices matter immensely. Many games that seem unwinnable can actually be solved if you make the right moves in the right order. Here are the top strategies to keep in mind.
1. Always Reveal Hidden Cards First
Your primary goal in the early game isn't to build the foundation piles—it is to reveal the face-down cards in the tableau. Whenever you have a choice between moving a card from the waste pile or moving a card from within the tableau (which uncovers a hidden card), you should almost always choose the tableau move.
2. Don't Empty a Column Without a King
Empty spaces in the tableau are incredibly valuable, but only Kings (or stacks starting with a King) can be placed into an empty column. If you empty a column but do not have a King ready to fill it, you have essentially wasted that space. Try to wait until you have a King available before clearing out a column entirely.
3. Think Twice Before Moving Cards to Foundations
It is tempting to immediately move cards to the top right Home piles as soon as possible. However, sometimes those cards are needed in the tableau to hold other cards. For example, if you move a black 5 to the foundation, you will no longer have a place to put a red 4. Only move cards to the foundation if they are no longer useful for building in the tableau.
4. Focus on the Largest Piles
The rightmost columns have the most face-down cards (up to six!). The more hidden cards a column has, the harder it is to dig through. Whenever possible, prioritize making moves that reveal cards from the tallest columns rather than the shorter ones.
5. Don't Rush the Stock Pile
Before drawing a new card from the stock pile, make absolutely sure you have made all possible and beneficial moves on the tableau. Scanning the board thoroughly before drawing will save you from missing obvious combinations.
Test Your Strategy
The best way to practice these tips is to play. Our large print version of Klondike features an infinite "Undo" button, allowing you to rewind your mistakes and try different strategies without penalty.
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