Play Solitaire for Free

Some call it Klondike, some call it Patience, but most call it Solitaire, thanks to the popularity of the Windows version of this single-player card game.  This classic game has been a solo past-time since the mid 1700s, but has become a worldwide favorite since computer operating systems started including Solitaire in their repertoire.

The goal of Solitaire is to arrange a 52-card deck (without Jokers) into suits from pre-arranged piles.  There are variations on the rules from version to version, but the general game play is the same: seven piles are laid out, face down except for the top card.  Each pile has a different number of cards, from one to seven as you move left to right.  The left over cards (the deck) are turned over either three or one at a time to help fill in needed cards.  Four foundations are reserved above the piles – this is where the suits will be arranged, starting with the Aces and moving up numerically, ending with the Kings.  The tricky part is with the piles – instead of placing cards on top of each other by suit, you have to arrange them by alternate colors.  For example, if an 8 of either black suit is face up on a pile, then a 7 of either red suit may be played on it.  The game is won when all of the cards are arranged on the four foundations by suit.

The popularity and longevity of Solitaire can be attributed simply to how easy it is to learn and how fun it is to play.  There are a seemingly infinite number of ways the cards can be dealt, and how you play each card determines how far you’ll be able to go.  Slight variations in the rules and how to keep score also make this a great game; you can make it really simple just for fun or really strict for an even greater challenge! Start Playing Solitaire for Free Online!