The History and Origins of Solitaire

The Earliest Records of Solitaire

The exact origin of solitaire remains one of the great mysteries in the history of card games. No single inventor can be credited, and the game appears to have evolved organically across Northern Europe during the late 18th century. The earliest known written references to solitaire, or patience as it was called, appear in German and Scandinavian texts from the 1780s.

A 1783 German book titled "Das neue Konigliche L'Hombre-Spiel" contains one of the first descriptions of a patience game. However, rather than being a solitary activity, these early versions were often competitive. Two players would each set up their own game, and the first to complete it successfully was the winner. The concept of playing cards alone as a personal challenge appears to have developed slightly later.

The word "solitaire" itself comes from the French word meaning "alone" or "solitary," while "patience" derives from the quality required to play these games methodically. Both names reflect the fundamental nature of the activity. For a broader understanding of what solitaire is in its modern form, see our introductory guide.

Interestingly, some historians have suggested that solitaire may have originated as a form of fortune telling or cartomancy. The layout of cards and the outcome of the game may have been interpreted as omens or predictions. While this theory lacks definitive proof, it provides a compelling alternative narrative for how these games first developed.

Solitaire in the Age of Napoleon

No figure is more closely associated with the early history of solitaire than Napoleon Bonaparte. During his exile on the island of St. Helena from 1815 until his death in 1821, Napoleon reportedly spent many hours playing patience. Several solitaire variations bear his name, including Napoleon at St. Helena, which is also known as Forty Thieves.

Whether Napoleon actually invented any of these games is debatable. It is more likely that games were named in his honor after his death, capitalizing on the romantic image of the fallen emperor passing time with cards in his island exile. Regardless of their true origins, these Napoleonic solitaire games remain popular today. You can learn to play one of the most enduring in our Forty Thieves solitaire guide.

The early 19th century saw solitaire flourish across France and then spread to England. French books on patience proliferated during this period. The 1842 book "Le Livre Illustre des Patiences" by the Comtesse de Blanccoeur became one of the most influential early works on the subject, cataloging numerous variations with detailed rules and illustrations.

In England, Prince Albert was known to be fond of patience games, and Queen Victoria herself was rumored to play. This royal endorsement helped establish solitaire as a respectable leisure activity for the upper and middle classes throughout the Victorian era. The game became a common sight in drawing rooms across Britain.

The Victorian Era and the Standardization of Rules

The Victorian period was crucial for solitaire's development because it was during this time that rules became formalized and widely published. Before the mid-19th century, solitaire games were passed down orally, with rules varying from household to household and region to region.

Lady Adelaide Cadogan's 1870 book "Illustrated Games of Patience" is often cited as the first English-language collection of solitaire games. It described 25 different patience games with clear rules and diagrams, providing a standardized reference that players across the English-speaking world could follow. This work went through numerous editions and remained in print for decades.

The late 19th century also saw the creation of many new solitaire variations. Klondike, which would eventually become the most popular version worldwide, is believed to have originated during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-1899 in Canada's Yukon Territory. Prospectors, with long hours to fill between digging for gold, reportedly developed and popularized this particular arrangement of tableau and foundations.

Other games created or codified during this period include Spider Solitaire, Canfield (named after Richard A. Canfield, a famous American gambler), and Pyramid. Each brought unique mechanics to the growing family of solitaire games, and many of these different types of solitaire remain in active play today.

The Microsoft Revolution

Perhaps no single event in solitaire's history was more transformative than Microsoft's decision to include Klondike Solitaire in Windows 3.0, released on May 22, 1990. The game was developed by a Microsoft intern named Wes Cherry, who wrote the program in his spare time. Remarkably, Cherry never received any royalties for creating what would become one of the most-played computer games in history.

The original purpose of Microsoft Solitaire was not entertainment but education. Microsoft included the game to help users become comfortable with the graphical user interface and, specifically, with the drag-and-drop mouse interaction. Clicking, dragging, and releasing cards onto stacks taught the fundamental mouse skills that the new Windows operating system required.

The strategy worked far beyond expectations. Microsoft Solitaire became wildly popular, and for many office workers throughout the 1990s, it was a daily staple. Studies estimated that American workers spent millions of hours playing solitaire on company time, prompting some corporations to remove the game from employee computers.

Microsoft expanded its solitaire offerings over the years. FreeCell was added in Windows 95, and Spider Solitaire arrived with Windows ME in 2000. These additions introduced millions of players to new variations and helped establish the broader solitaire genre in the digital realm. Today, solitaire remains available on Windows 10 and Windows 11 through the Microsoft Solitaire Collection.

Solitaire in the Mobile and Digital Age

The advent of smartphones in the late 2000s launched solitaire into yet another era of explosive growth. The game was a natural fit for mobile devices, with its simple tap-and-drag mechanics translating perfectly to touchscreen interfaces. Solitaire apps appeared on the Apple App Store from its earliest days in 2008 and quickly became some of the most downloaded games on both iOS and Android platforms.

Mobile solitaire brought several innovations to the classic game. Daily challenges, achievement systems, and online leaderboards added competitive and social elements to what had traditionally been a solitary pursuit. Undo buttons, hints, and statistics tracking made the games more accessible and engaging for casual players.

The mobile era also revived interest in lesser-known solitaire variations. Games like TriPeaks and Golf Solitaire found new audiences through mobile apps. The easy distribution of digital games meant that players could discover and try dozens of variations they might never have encountered with a physical deck.

Today, solitaire is available on virtually every platform imaginable. You can play on your iPhone, iPad, Android device, Mac, or Chromebook. Browser-based versions require no download at all, continuing the tradition of accessibility that has defined solitaire throughout its history.

Solitaire's Cultural Impact and Legacy

Solitaire's influence extends far beyond the card table or computer screen. The game has become a cultural touchstone, referenced in literature, film, and everyday language. The phrase "playing solitaire" has become shorthand for any solitary, contemplative activity.

In academic circles, solitaire has attracted attention from mathematicians and computer scientists. The question of which Klondike deals are solvable is a computationally complex problem that has been studied extensively. Researchers have used solitaire as a testbed for artificial intelligence algorithms, and the probability and odds behind solitaire games continue to be a subject of mathematical inquiry.

The game has also been studied for its psychological and cognitive benefits. Research suggests that playing solitaire can reduce stress, improve memory, and enhance decision-making skills. The game requires players to plan ahead, evaluate multiple options, and manage limited resources, exercising executive function skills that translate to real-world problem-solving.

From a hand-dealt game in 18th century drawing rooms to a pre-installed application on billions of devices worldwide, solitaire has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and endure. Its simplicity, accessibility, and satisfying blend of luck and skill ensure that it will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Whether you are just starting out or refining advanced strategies, you are participating in a tradition that spans over two centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who invented solitaire?

No single person invented solitaire. The game appears to have developed organically in Northern Europe during the late 18th century. The earliest written references come from German and Scandinavian texts in the 1780s. The game evolved over decades, with many different people contributing new variations and rules.

Q: Did Napoleon really play solitaire?

Historical accounts strongly suggest that Napoleon Bonaparte played patience during his exile on St. Helena from 1815 to 1821. Several solitaire variations are named after him, though it is unlikely he personally invented any of them. The games were more likely named in his honor after his death.

Q: When did solitaire come to computers?

Solitaire first appeared on personal computers in the early 1980s, but the most significant moment came in 1990 when Microsoft included Klondike Solitaire in Windows 3.0. The game was designed to teach users mouse skills and became one of the most-played computer games in history.

Q: Why is solitaire also called patience?

The name "patience" is the traditional term used in Britain and much of Europe for single-player card games. The name reflects the patient, methodical approach required to play these games well. "Solitaire" comes from the French word for "alone" and is the term predominantly used in North America.

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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.