If you’ve ever owned a Microsoft Windows computer, there’s a good chance you’ve played a game of solitaire or two. Even if that isn’t the case, you’ve likely at least heard of one of America’s most popular single-player card games. But do you know how old this card game actually is and why we call it solitaire—and also Klondike solitaire?
Solitaire is one of 83 games offered in the Dictionary.com games hub, which includes more than 70 new games added this year.
Whether you’re a solitaire savant or just want to sharpen your solitaire skills, step on over to our Klondike Solitaire game and let the cards fall where they may!
But first, we’ll deal out some knowledge that will satisfy you no matter what has got you curious.
Origin of klondike solitaire
The name solitaire is used generally to refer to any game a person can play by themselves with a deck of cards. In the United States, the most popular variant of solitaire—which is often just called “solitaire”—is klondike. It is possible that this name comes from the Klondike region of Yukon, Canada.
Solitaire games can be traced back to Europe in the 1700s. According to most sources, these games emerged from the popular usage of tarot cards at the time. It is unknown exactly where solitaire came from, as France, Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltics all lay claim to the game.
Solitaire in other countries
In most of Europe, solitaire games are known as patience or the equivalent of that word in the local language. Some examples of different names include:
- France/UK: patience
- Poland: pasjans
- Russia: пасьянс (pas’jans)
- Croatia: pasijans
- Sweden: patiens
- Finland: pasianssi
- Denmark: kabale
- Norway: kabal
- Spain: solitario
What is solitaire?
The object of the game is to place each suit of cards into four separate piles of ascending order from ace to king.
How to play:
- The four ascending suit piles you build are called the foundations.
- The seven piles on the table are called the tableau. The top cards of the tableau are always revealed and can be put into a foundation. A top card of the tableau can be placed on top of another tableau card in descending rank by opposite color. For example, a five of spades can be placed on top of a six of hearts. Tableau stacks must be moved together as one unit.
- The rest of the cards are called the stock. You can reveal the top three cards of the stock and use the top of these cards just like a tableau card. (Some solitaire games also allow the option to draw one card at a time.)
- Unused stock cards are placed face up into a new pile called the waste pile. The top card of the waste pile is playable. When the stock is emptied, the waste pile is turned over and used as a new stock.
- If you get stuck with no moves, the game is over.
Think you know all you need to in order to smash a game of solitaire? Prove you are a solitaire superhero by flying over to our Klondike Solitaire game right now!
