How to Play Solitaire: Rules for 5 Classic Games

Last reviewed on 2026-10-03

“Solitaire” is a whole family of single-player card games. This page summarises the rules of the five games you can play on Solitaire Publishing, compares them side by side, and points you to the detailed guide and playable table for each one. If you are new to card terms such as tableau or foundation, keep the solitaire glossary open in another tab.

The five games at a glance

Klondike (classic Solitaire)

Deal seven columns of 1 to 7 cards with the top card face up; the other 24 cards form the stock. Build the columns downward in alternating colours (red 6 on black 7), move face-up runs together, and fill empty columns only with Kings. Turn cards from the stock one at a time (Draw 1) or three at a time (Draw 3). Build four foundations up by suit from Ace to King to win. Play Klondike and read the full strategy guide.

Spider Solitaire

Two decks are dealt into ten columns (54 cards) with 50 left in the stock. Any card can be placed on a card one rank higher, but only a run of one suit can be moved as a unit. Deal ten new cards from the stock when you are stuck (every column must have a card first). A complete King-to-Ace run of one suit is removed automatically; remove eight to win. Choose 1, 2 or 4 suits to set the difficulty – see Spider 1 vs 2 vs 4 suits or play Spider.

FreeCell

All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns. Four free cells each hold one card temporarily. Build columns down in alternating colours and foundations up by suit. Because you can see everything, FreeCell is a puzzle: in the classic numbered deals 1–32,000, every deal but #11982 can be won. Play FreeCell or learn about FreeCell deal numbers.

Pyramid Solitaire

Twenty-eight cards form a seven-row pyramid. Remove uncovered cards in pairs that add up to 13 (A=1, J=11, Q=12); a King (13) is removed alone. The top card of the waste pile can be used too, and you can go through the stock three times on this site. Clear the pyramid to win. Play Pyramid.

TriPeaks (Three Peaks)

Twenty-eight cards form three overlapping peaks. Play any uncovered card that is one rank above or below the top waste card, in any suit, with Ace and King wrapping round. Each played card becomes the new waste card, so you can make long chains. When stuck, turn a card from the stock (one pass only). Clear all three peaks to win. Play TriPeaks.

Tips that work in every solitaire game

• Reveal information early. In games with face-down cards, the move that shows you a new card is usually the best move.
• Value empty space. Empty columns and free cells are your working room; spend them carefully.
• Think a few moves ahead. Before moving, ask what the move unlocks and what it blocks.
• Use Undo and deal numbers to learn. Replaying the same deal is the fastest way to see how a different choice changes the outcome. The daily challenge gives everyone the same deals each day.

Frequently Asked Questions