Solitaire Games

Solitaire games are among the most popular card games of all time. Players from across the world have loved taking on the challenge of solitaire card games for centuries. The simplicity of the game’s rules and the availability of free online solitaire makes it easier than ever for you to get started. If you're not sure how to play solitaire, you've come to the right place.

Everything You Need to Know to Play Solitaire

Solitaire card games come in lots of different varieties, although the core concept usually stays the same. Let's take a look at the objectives and the rules of solitaire games, so that you'll be ready to play solitaire yourself.

The Objective of Solitaire Games

Solitaire games are all about arranging a deck of cards in ordered groups. A standard deck of cards consists of 52 cards, with thirteen cards in each of the four suits. Klondike is the most common version of free online solitaire, in which your objective is to split the deck into its four suits.

Sounds simple, right? Well, you'll also have to make sure the thirteen cards in each suit are in order, going from ace all the way up to the king. This will be the aim of the game in most versions of free online solitaire. 

Learn How to Play Solitaire

If you want to hit the ground running when you start playing solitaire online, you might find it useful to familiarize yourself with the key terminology of free solitaire games.

• Building - the act of stacking cards from the same suit
• Foundation - the place where you stack cards from the same suit in order, starting with the ace
• Tableau - the main playing area of solitaire games, a place where you can move cards around to try and find the card you need
• Packing - the act of stacking cards in reverse order on the tableau 
• Stock - the remaining cards that aren't dealt onto the tableau

Once you've had some experience with free solitaire, you probably won't think about those terms anymore. However, it's handy for a rookie player to know about every aspect of the game when they first play solitaire.

The Rules of Solitaire Games

Now that you know the key terms, you're ready to learn how to play solitaire in order to achieve the objective of the game.

1. Deal the cards onto the tableau. One of the best reasons to play solitaire online is that the computer does this part for you.
2. If a card is face down without another card on top of it, you're able to turn this card over.
3. Pack the cards on the tableau, using alternate colors for your reverse-ordered piles. 
4. If you see a free ace, you can stack it onto one of the four foundation spaces. The aces make all the difference when you play solitaire. 
5. You can then start building your suits, depending on what cards are available on the tableau.
6. You can also work through the stock to try and find cards that can either help you pack or build.

Different Variations of Free Solitaire

The rules listed above best describe the Klondike variation of solitaire, which is the most common of all the solitaire games. When the word 'solitaire' is used on its own to describe free online solitaire games, it's likely that it refers to this Klondike version.

There are other common versions that you might find when you search for free solitaire. One variation is Spider Solitaire, which removes the foundations and focuses all the building action on the tableau. Another popular variety is Forty Thieves, which uses two decks to create a more epic challenge. One of the newest versions is Tripeaks Solitaire, where players aim to clear cards rather than build piles.

Free Solitaire Tips

If you've played many card games before, you'll know one thing to expect before you play solitaire: skill and luck will both play their part. Skill is the most important factor in free online solitaire, with a smart strategy hugely important if you want to win a solitaire game. However, you can't control the cards that you're dealt, so luck always has its say.

Here are our top three tips to help you triumph at free solitaire games.

Make Every Move Count When You Play Solitaire

When you play solitaire for free, it can be tempting to blindly drag cards around or turn cards over in the hope of making something happen. Hey, it might work, but you'll be better off thinking carefully about each move even when you’re enjoying solitaire online. Do you need to take another card from the stock? Will building too many cards too soon on the foundation cause you problems on the tableau later on?

Hunt for the Aces in Solitaire Card Games

If you can't find the aces in a Klondike version of free solitaire, you won't ever be able to start building. It's the same principle as finding resources in a strategy game where you develop your civilization. Strategy games are all about doing things in the right order, and solitaire is no different.

Do everything you can to uncover and release the aces. An ace stuck somewhere unreachable on the tableau could completely derail your progress, so prioritize freeing those all-important aces. Once the aces are found, take the same approach for the 2s, and so on.

Keep Your Calm in Free Online Solitaire

Time for some bad news: you're not going to win every time you play solitaire. Sometimes you'll use the perfect strategy but the cards just won't fall your way. Stay level-headed and don't let bad luck get the best of you, as the next time you play solitaire online could go much better. If you play Tripeaks Solitaire, then 90% of all games should be solvable. If your win percentage is anywhere close to that mark, then you can probably call yourself a master of solitaire.

The History of Solitaire Games

Solitaire games have a long and rich history. What started out as a humble card-playing activity has become a global phenomenon, with people today having access to a dizzying set of ways to play solitaire free. That is, of course, thanks to the power of the internet. If you want to play free solitaire games, all you need is a solid internet connection and a suitable device. 

Here’s some shocking news though: in the 18th century, there was no way to play solitaire online. Super shocking, right? While the power of the internet today means that we can load up free solitaire without any fuss, 18th-century solitaire lovers had to rely on access to a physical deck of cards. The Germans are credited as the first to play solitaire, with the earliest written record of solitaire card games found in a 1788 German game anthology. Those inventive Germans set us on the path to the solitaire online options that we have today.

The Origin of Klondike Solitaire Games

Solitaire online has come a long way from its origins, particularly in the case of Klondike solitaire. It's believed that the gold prospectors who flocked to the Klondike region of Canada in the 19th century came up with this game, and they must have loved to play solitaire between mining sessions. They might have been searching for gold, but they sure struck gold with their idea of how to play solitaire!

The History of Tripeaks Solitaire

Not all types of free solitaire have so many years behind them - just look at Tripeaks Solitaire. Robert Hogue invented Tripeaks Solitaire in 1989, making it a baby of a solitaire game compared to Klondike. Hogue flipped around concepts from early solitaire games, making Tripeaks Solitaire all about clearing three peaks of cards onto a waste pile.

Hogue even introduced a wild card feature to spice up Tripeaks Solitaire's strategic side.

Despite these innovations, Tripeaks Solitaire still feels like a classic solitaire game. When you're searching for solitaire online, you should be able to easily find Tripeaks Solitaire if you're intrigued by Hogue's creation.

You're Ready to Play Free Solitaire

Whether you start with a classic Klondike version of free solitaire or you test your wits in a game of Tripeaks Solitaire, this is a card game that promises plenty of gripping action. The strategic side of the game makes it very moreish, especially when you play solitaire free. If you lose a game of free solitaire, then you'll want to do better next time. If you win a game, then you'll want to win quicker next time...

Once you play free solitaire games for a little bit, you'll realize just how simple the rules are. However, tactics are something that you'll keep learning about as long as you play solitaire. With so many free solitaire options online, there's no time like the present to test your skills at this famous card game. Even though skill is the most important factor, we'll still wish you good luck before you start playing solitaire online.

Good luck!