The Objective
The goal of Klondike Solitaire is to move all 52 cards into the four Foundation slots at the top right, organized by suit from Ace to King.
The Game Areas
The Tableau: The 7 columns where most of the play happens.
The Foundations: The 4 empty slots at the top right (one for each suit).
The Stock: The pile of remaining cards at the top left.
The Waste: The pile where cards from the Stock are revealed.
Rules of Movement
1. In the Tableau (The Columns)
Descending Order: You can only place a card on another if it is exactly one rank lower. (e.g., a 9 goes on a 10).
Alternating Colors: You must alternate colors. A Red card (Hearts/Diamonds) must go on a Black card (Clubs/Spades), and vice versa.
Moving Groups: You can move entire sequences of cards as long as they follow the rank and color rules.
Empty Columns: Only a King can be moved into a completely empty tableau slot.
2. Into the Foundations (Top Right)
Ascending Order: You must start with the Ace of a suit.
Same Suit: You build upward in the same suit (Ace, 2, 3… up to King).
Once a card is in the foundation, it is generally considered “saved,” though some versions allow you to pull them back into the tableau if needed.
3. From the Stock and Waste
You draw from the Stock to the Waste.
Only the top card of the Waste pile is available to be moved into either the Tableau or the Foundations.
When the Stock is empty, you flip the Waste pile back over to start again.