How the layout works
Classic Klondike uses a single deck of 52 cards. Seven tableau columns are dealt on the table: the first holds one card, the second two, the third three, and so on. Only the bottom card of each column is face up; the rest lie face down. The remaining cards go to the stock, from which the player turns over cards one or three at a time, depending on the chosen mode.
Besides the tableau columns there are four foundations. That is where every card ultimately needs to go. Foundations are built up by suit from ace to king, so each game comes down to carefully unpacking the columns first, then steadily moving all the cards to the foundations.
Which moves are allowed
In the tableau columns, cards are stacked in descending order with alternating colors. That means only a black card of the next lower rank can go on a red card, and only a red card on a black one. For example, a black nine goes on a red ten, and a red seven on a black eight. If a column already holds a valid run, you can move it as a whole.
An empty column can only be filled with a king or a valid sequence that starts with a king. This is one of the most important rules, because empty columns give you room to maneuver. That is why experienced players try to free up columns as early as possible — but use them carefully, never wasting one on the first available king if it does nothing for the layout.
How the stock and foundations work
Cards are turned over from the stock into the waste. In one-card mode the game is easier to manage, because each new card is visible right away and decisions come faster. In three-card mode the pace is quicker, but there are fewer mistake-free lines of play. For your first games, one-card mode is usually more comfortable: it makes it easier to get a feel for Klondike's rhythm and learn to uncover hidden cards in the right order.
Foundations are built by suit from ace to king. The ace goes first, then the two of the same suit, then the three, and so on. Moving a card to a foundation almost always looks useful, but sometimes haste gets in the way. If a card is still needed for rearranging the columns, it is wiser to keep it on the table and only send it to the foundation once it no longer affects the flow of the game.
What matters most for good play
The golden rule of good Klondike is to uncover hidden cards first, and only then worry about tidily rearranging the visible runs. Every face-down card limits your options, so freeing up columns and flipping cards over almost always matters more than quickly sending a convenient card to a foundation. When you have a choice between several moves, the one that reveals new information usually wins.
The second key principle is to value empty columns. They let you temporarily park kings and long runs, which makes rearranging noticeably easier. If you play Klondike online, it is worth trying this approach in a real game right away. The Klondike guide and our general article on solitaire strategy will help too.
FAQ
Can I move several cards at once?
Yes. If a run is already built in descending order with alternating colors, you can move it as a whole to another column.
What can go in an empty column?
Only a king, or a completed run that starts with a king.
Should I send every eligible card to the foundations right away?
Not always. Sometimes a card is still needed on the table for rearranging columns, so there is no rush to move it to a foundation.
Where can I try these rules in practice?
Open the Klondike game and apply these rules in a live game right away.