Printable Solitaire Rules Strategy Guide

Quick Answer: This quick-reference covers the five most popular solitaire variants: Klondike (7 columns, alternating color sequences, Ace–King foundations), Spider (10 columns, same-suit sequences, 104 cards), FreeCell (8 columns, 4 free cells, all cards face-up), Pyramid (13-pairs removal, 7-row triangle), and Yukon (7 columns, group moves allowed). Each section includes setup, valid moves, and win condition.

Whether you are teaching solitaire to kids in a school in Illinois, hosting a game night in Phoenix, or just want a reliable reference card on hand, having the rules printed and accessible makes everything easier. This guide functions as a complete quick-reference for the five most popular solitaire variants — formatted so you can read it at a glance while you play.

Klondike Solitaire Rules (Classic Solitaire)

Klondike is the game most people call simply "solitaire." It is the version that shipped with Windows and remains the most played card game in the world.

Definition: Klondike is a single-player card game using 52 cards where the goal is to build four foundation piles from Ace to King, one per suit, by moving cards through a seven-column tableau.

Klondike Setup

| Area | Cards | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Tableau | 28 cards | 7 columns; col. 1 = 1 card, col. 7 = 7 cards | | Stock | 24 cards | Face-down; draw 1 (Turn 1) or 3 (Turn 3) | | Foundation | 0 at start | 4 piles, one per suit | | Waste | 0 at start | Holds unplayed stock draws |

Klondike Valid Moves

• Tableau to tableau: Descending rank, alternating color (red on black, black on red)
• Tableau or waste to foundation: Ascending rank, same suit (Ace first, then 2, 3... King)
• Stock draw: Flip 1 or 3 cards; top waste card is playable
• Empty column: Only Kings or King-headed sequences may fill it
• Groups: Any face-up sequence may be moved together if valid placement exists

Klondike Win Condition

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles (A through K per suit).

For deeper strategy, see our complete beginners guide to solitaire.

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Spider Solitaire Rules

Spider solitaire uses two decks (104 cards) and a 10-column tableau. It is significantly harder than Klondike.

Spider Setup

| Area | Cards | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Tableau | 54 cards | 10 columns; cols 1–4 get 6 cards, cols 5–10 get 5 cards | | Stock | 50 cards | 5 groups of 10; dealt one row at a time | | Foundation | 0 at start | 8 piles total (two per suit with 2 decks) |

Spider Valid Moves

• Tableau to tableau: Any card may be placed on a card of next-higher rank, any suit (builds are maintained for scoring, but mixed-suit builds are valid)
• Completing a sequence: Build 13 cards of the same suit (K to A) to send to foundation automatically
• Stock deal: When stuck, deal one row of 10 cards to all columns (all columns must have at least one card)
• Empty column: Any card or sequence may fill an empty column

Spider Win Condition

Complete all 8 suit sequences (King down to Ace, same suit). Each sequence is automatically removed to the foundation.

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FreeCell Solitaire Rules

FreeCell is unique because all 52 cards start face-up, making every deal theoretically visible from move one.

Definition: Free cells are four temporary holding spaces in FreeCell that can each hold exactly one card at any time. They are the key mechanic that makes FreeCell more puzzle-like than luck-based.

FreeCell Setup

| Area | Cards | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Tableau | 52 cards | 8 columns, all face-up; cols 1–4 get 7, cols 5–8 get 6 | | Free cells | 0 at start | 4 available spaces, 1 card each | | Foundation | 0 at start | 4 piles, one per suit |

FreeCell Valid Moves

• Tableau to tableau: Descending rank, alternating color
• Tableau to free cell: Any single card may move to an empty free cell
• Free cell to tableau or foundation: Play the free cell card following normal rules
• Supermove: Move a group of cards if enough free cells + empty columns are available
• Empty column: Any card or sequence may fill it (no King restriction)

Supermove formula: Maximum moveable sequence = (free cells + 1) × 2^(empty columns)

FreeCell Win Condition

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles (Ace to King, one suit each).

For winning strategy, see our how to win FreeCell consistently guide.

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Pyramid Solitaire Rules

Pyramid solitaire is a pairing game, fundamentally different from sequence-building variants.

Pyramid Setup

| Area | Cards | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Pyramid | 28 cards | 7 rows; row 1 = 1 card (top), row 7 = 7 cards (bottom) | | Stock | 24 cards | Face-down | | Waste | 0 at start | Top card is always accessible |

Pyramid Valid Moves

• Remove pairs: Two uncovered cards whose ranks sum to 13 may be removed together
• Remove a King: Kings = 13, so they are removed alone
• Stock draw: Flip one card at a time to waste pile; top waste card is available for pairing
• Uncovered: A pyramid card is "uncovered" (available) when no cards overlap it from the row below

Pairs that sum to 13:

• Ace (1) + Queen (12) = 13
• 2 + Jack (11) = 13
• 3 + 10 = 13
• 4 + 9 = 13
• 5 + 8 = 13
• 6 + 7 = 13
• King (13) alone

Pyramid Win Condition

Remove all 28 pyramid cards (stock and waste cards need not be cleared in some versions; all 52 in strict versions).

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Yukon Solitaire Rules

Yukon solitaire plays like Klondike but with a key difference: any face-up card or group can be moved, regardless of sequence order.

Yukon Setup

| Area | Cards | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Tableau | 52 cards | 7 columns, all cards dealt; col. 1 = 1 card, col. 7 = 11 | | Foundation | 0 at start | 4 piles, one per suit | | No stock pile | — | All cards are dealt to tableau at start |

Yukon Valid Moves

• Tableau to tableau: Descending rank, alternating color — same as Klondike
• Group moves: Any face-up card may be moved along with all cards on top of it, regardless of whether they form a proper sequence
• Foundation: Same as Klondike — Ace first, same suit, ascending
• Empty column: Any card or group may be placed in an empty column (no King restriction)

Yukon Win Condition

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles.

For more on Yukon strategy, see our Yukon solitaire strategy guide.

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Universal Solitaire Rules Summary Table

| Rule | Klondike | Spider | FreeCell | Pyramid | Yukon | |------|----------|--------|----------|---------|-------| | Decks used | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | Cards total | 52 | 104 | 52 | 52 | 52 | | Tableau columns | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 (pyramid) | 7 | | Stock pile | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | | Free cells | No | No | Yes (4) | No | No | | Build rule | Alt. color | Any/same suit | Alt. color | Sum to 13 | Alt. color | | Group moves | Yes (seq.) | Yes | Supermoves | No | Yes (any) | | Win condition | 4 foundations | 8 sequences | 4 foundations | Clear pyramid | 4 foundations |

For the authoritative source on international solitaire rules, [Wikipedia's Solitaire Rules](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) is the most comprehensive free reference available. The [solitaire Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) also provides historical rule context.

For additional rule details, read our solitaire rules explained guide and different types of solitaire games overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print this solitaire rules reference?

Yes — this page is designed as a quick-reference guide. Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P on Windows) and select "Print without background" for a clean, ink-friendly version. The tables format well on a single letter-size page.

What is the most beginner-friendly solitaire variant?

Klondike Turn 1 is the best starting point. One card is drawn at a time, the rules are simple, and it has the highest win rate of standard Klondike modes (approximately 43% for skilled players). FreeCell is also very beginner-friendly because all cards are visible from the start.

What is the hardest solitaire game?

Pyramid solitaire has one of the lowest win rates — approximately 5–15% depending on skill level — largely because of the limited ability to reorder cards. Spider 4-suit is also extremely challenging, with win rates around 30–40% for experienced players.

Are the rules the same for online solitaire vs. physical cards?

Yes — the fundamental rules are identical. Digital versions simply enforce the rules automatically and handle shuffling and scoring calculations for you. Some digital implementations offer rule variations (like unlimited stock redeals) that differ from strict card rules.

Where can I find official tournament rules for solitaire?

Competitive solitaire rules vary by organization. For casual reference, [Wikipedia's Solitaire Rules](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) documents internationally recognized patience rules. Microsoft's Solitaire Collection uses its own proprietary rule sets for its competitive modes.

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💡 Gameplay Rule Clarification (2026)

Remember that low-value cards (Aces and Twos) should always be moved to the foundations immediately as they serve no strategic building purpose on the tableau. Pace your draws to prevent early card congestion.