What Solitaire Is and Why Seniors Play It
Solitaire is a card game you play alone, using a standard deck of 52 cards. The goal is to move all the cards into four piles—one for each suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades)—arranged in order from ace to king. You win when all cards are stacked correctly in those four piles, called the foundation.
Solitaire has been popular for centuries, and it became even more common when computers made it straightforward to play on a screen. Many seniors play solitaire because it requires focus without being stressful, it passes time on quiet afternoons, and you can play at your own pace. You don't need anyone else, and you can stop and start whenever you want.
The most common version is called Klondike solitaire. That's the one you see on most computers and phones. Other versions exist—some easier, some harder—but Klondike is the standard.
Key Takeaways
- The goal of solitaire is to move all 52 cards into four foundation piles, one suit per pile, arranged from ace to king.
- You start by laying out 28 cards in seven columns, with the first card of each column face-up and the rest face-down.
- You can move cards between columns if they go in descending order and alternate in color—a red 7 can go on a black 8, for example.
- You draw cards from the deck three at a time (or one at a time in easier versions), and you can move them to columns or directly to the foundation if they're in the right order.
- You win when all four foundation piles are complete, from ace through king in each suit.
Setting Up the Game
Before you play, you need to understand the layout. Solitaire uses the whole deck of 52 cards. When you start a new game, the cards are shuffled randomly.
The game board has three main areas. The tableau is the large area in the middle where most of the action happens—this is where you lay out seven columns of cards. The foundation is the top right area where you build the four piles (one per suit). The stock is the deck of remaining cards, usually shown in the top left, and the waste pile is where cards go when you draw from the stock but can't use them right away.
To set up, deal 28 cards into seven columns. The first column gets one card face-up. The second column gets one card face-down, then one card face-up. The third column gets two cards face-down, then one face-up. Keep going until the seventh column has six cards face-down and one face-up. The remaining 24 cards stay in your hand as the stock—you'll draw from these as you play.
How to Move Cards in the Tableau
The tableau is where you make most of your moves. Cards in the columns follow strict rules about what can go on top of what.
You can only place a card on top of another card if two things are true: the card you're placing must be one rank lower (a 7 goes on an 8, a 2 goes on a 3), and it must be the opposite color (red on black, black on red). So a red 7 can go on a black 8, but a red 7 cannot go on a red 8, and a red 7 cannot go on a black 6.
You can move more than one card at a time if they're already stacked correctly. If you have a red 7 on a black 8, and a black 6 on top of the red 7, you can move all three cards together onto a red 9.
If a column becomes empty, you can only fill it with a king (or a king with other cards already on top of it). This is important because empty columns give you room to maneuver.
Drawing from the Stock and Using the Waste Pile
Once you've made all the moves you can in the tableau, you draw from the stock. In most versions of solitaire, you draw three cards at a time. You look at the top card of those three. If you can move it to the tableau or the foundation, you do. If you can't, it goes to the waste pile, and you look at the next card underneath it.
When you've gone through all three cards and can't move any of them, you draw three more from the stock. You keep doing this until you run out of cards in the stock. At that point, you pick up the entire waste pile, turn it over, and it becomes your new stock. You can go through the stock as many times as you want in most computer versions, though traditional solitaire limits you to three passes through the deck.
The waste pile is just a holding area. You can only use the top card of the waste pile—you can't dig down into it to find a card you need.
Building the Foundation and Winning
The foundation is where you build the four final piles. Each pile holds one suit, and each suit must go in order from ace (lowest) to king (highest).
You can move a card to the foundation only if it's the next card in sequence for that suit. The first card you place in each foundation pile must be an ace. Once an ace is down, you can place a 2 of the same suit on top of it, then a 3, and so on. You can move cards directly from the tableau to the foundation, or from the top of the waste pile to the foundation.
You win the game when all four foundation piles are complete—each one holding all 13 cards of its suit, from ace to king. Not every game of solitaire can be won. Sometimes the cards are arranged in a way that makes it impossible to move them into the right order, no matter what you do. That's part of what makes the game interesting—you're not just following steps, you're solving a puzzle that might not have a solution.
Tips for Playing Better
Solitaire looks straightforward, but there are strategies that help you win more often. The most important one is to think ahead. Before you move a card, ask yourself whether moving it will block you from moving something else later.
Try to uncover face-down cards in the tableau as quickly as you can. Those hidden cards might be exactly what you need, and you won't know until they're face-up. Moving cards around to expose face-down cards is often more valuable than moving cards to the foundation right away.
Keep your columns as organized as possible. If you have a choice between putting a red 6 on a black 7 in one column or another, think about which column will give you more room to work. Empty columns are valuable—they give you a place to temporarily move cards so you can rearrange other cards.
Don't rush to move cards to the foundation. Sometimes it's better to leave a card in the tableau where it can help you move other cards around. Once a card is in the foundation, it's locked in place and can't help you anymore.
Where to Play Solitaire
If you have a Windows computer, solitaire is usually already installed. Look for it in your games folder or search for "solitaire" in the start menu. On a Mac, you can read solitaire from the App Store, or play it free in a web browser.
On a smartphone or tablet, search your app store for "solitaire" and you'll find many free versions. Some have ads, some don't. Some let you play offline, and some require an internet connection. Read the reviews before you read to find one that works the way you like.
You can also play solitaire with a physical deck of cards. The rules are exactly the same—you just deal and move the cards by hand instead of clicking. Many people find this more relaxing than playing on a screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a move if I make a mistake?
Most computer versions of solitaire let you undo moves, usually by pressing Ctrl+Z or by clicking an undo button. If you're playing with physical cards, you can undo a move if you catch it right away, but once you've drawn new cards, it's harder to go back. Check your specific game to see what undo options it offers.
What if I get stuck and can't move any cards?
If you can't move any cards in the tableau and the top card of the waste pile won't move either, you draw three more cards from the stock. If you still can't move anything after going through the entire stock, the game is over and you've lost. This happens often—not every shuffle of cards can be solved.
Is there a difference between drawing one card at a time and three cards at a time?
Yes. Drawing three cards at a time makes the game harder because you might need a card that's buried under two others. Drawing one card at a time is easier. Most computer versions let you choose which way you want to play, so you can start with one-card mode if you're learning.
How long does a typical game take?
A game usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how fast you play and how lucky the shuffle is. Some games are solved in a couple of minutes, and some take longer if you're thinking carefully about each move.
Do I need to memorize the rules to play?
No. Most computer versions show you which moves are legal by highlighting cards you can move or showing you where a card can go. With a physical deck, you can keep these rules written down next to you until they become automatic. After a few games, the rules become second nature.