How to win more games of Klondike Solitaire: 7 simple tips

Solitaire · 6 min read · Updated November 2, 2026

Klondike is the Solitaire most of us grew up with, and it feels like pure luck at first. It isn’t. A few habits make a big difference to how many games you win. Here are the seven that matter most.

1. Turn over the hidden cards first

The face-down cards in the seven columns are the real problem in Klondike. Every move that turns one face up gives you new options. When you have a choice between two moves, pick the one that uncovers a hidden card, and favor the column with the most hidden cards.

2. Don’t rush to the deck

It’s tempting to tap the deck as soon as you start. Instead, make every useful move on the table first. The deck is your reserve, and using it too early can bury cards you’ll need later, especially in Draw 3.

3. Move Aces and Twos up right away

Aces and Twos can only ever go to the foundations, so there’s no reason to keep them on the table. Send them up as soon as you see them. Be a little more careful with Threes and higher, which you may still want for building.

4. Think twice before emptying a column

An empty column can only take a King. If you don’t have a King ready to move, an empty column does nothing for you, and you may have used up cards you needed. Empty a column when you can fill it with a King straight away.

5. Choose your King carefully

When you do have a space and two Kings to choose from, look at what’s waiting. If a red Queen is ready to play, move the black King. The right King can unlock the next three or four moves.

6. Keep colors balanced

Try not to build long runs that all need the same color next. If every column ends in a red card, a red card from the deck has nowhere to go. A mix of red and black ends keeps your options open.

7. Use Undo to learn

On Noodle Brain Games, Undo is unlimited and free. Use it as a teacher: if a move leads nowhere, step back and try the other path. You’ll quickly start to see which moves matter.

Quick recap: uncover hidden cards, play the table before the deck, send Aces and Twos up early, only empty a column for a King, and keep your colors mixed.

Ready to try these out? Play Klondike Solitaire now, free, with big, easy-to-read cards.

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