The solitaire rules on this page cover the standard Klondike format, the most widely played version and the format used on EazeGames. Solitaire rules vary by variant, so this reference also explains how Klondike differs from Spider and FreeCell where relevant.
Use this page as a reference for valid moves, drawing rules, foundation rules, winning and losing conditions, and how different variants compare.
What this reference covers: Standard Klondike solitaire rules, the complete official rule set | Tableau, foundation, and deck rules explained precisely | Card movement rules: what is and isn't a valid move | Winning and losing conditions | Common rule confusion points, clarified | Solitaire variant rules: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell
What Are the Rules of Solitaire?
Definition: Solitaire is a card game played with a standard 52-card deck across three areas: the tableau, the stock (deck), and the foundations. The goal is to move all 52 cards onto four foundation piles, built from Ace to King by suit, using valid moves between the tableau columns and drawing from the deck.
Rules govern how cards may move between these areas, what constitutes a valid sequence, and when the game is won or lost.
Standard Solitaire (Klondike) Rules
Klondike is the default version of solitaire, the format EazeGames used to make a standalone and 100% skill-based version of the genre, called ‘Skill Solitaire’. When someone says "solitaire rules" without specifying a variant, they almost always mean Klondike.
Setup
- 52 cards, one standard deck
- Seven tableau columns: column 1 has 1 card, column 2 has 2, up to column 7 with 7 cards
- Only the top card of each column is face up. All cards beneath are face down
- The remaining 24 cards form the stock (deck)
- Four foundation piles start empty, one per suit
Objective
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles. Each foundation is built by suit in ascending order: Ace, 2, 3 … through to King.
Key Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tableau sequence | Descending order, alternating red and black suits |
| Foundation sequence | Ascending order by suit, Ace first, King last |
| Empty column rule | Only a King (or King-led sequence) may fill an empty column |
| Stock drawing | Draw one card at a time; cycle through the deck as needed |
| Face-down cards | Flip automatically when the card above is removed |
| Moving sequences | A group of face-up cards in valid sequence may be moved together |
| Foundation → Tableau | Allowed: cards may be moved back from a foundation to the tableau |
| Complete the deck | All 52 cards on the four foundations, Ace through King by suit |
| No moves left | No valid moves remain and the deck is exhausted |
Tableau, Foundation & Deck Rules
Tableau Rules
- Sequence: cards must be placed in descending order, alternating red and black. A black 9 goes on a red 10.
- Face-down cards: cannot be moved. When the card above is moved, the face-down card beneath flips up automatically.
- Moving groups: any face-up sequence in correct order may be moved as a unit to another tableau column.
- Empty columns: only a King, or a sequence led by a King, may be placed in an empty column.
Foundation Rules
- Starting a foundation: only an Ace can be placed on an empty foundation pile.
- Building a foundation: cards must be added in ascending order within the same suit.
- Moving back: a card on a foundation may be moved back to the tableau if needed. This is a legal move.
- Completing a foundation: a foundation pile is complete when it contains all 13 cards of one suit, Ace through King.
Deck (Stock) Rules
- Drawing: one card is drawn at a time from the deck. The drawn card is placed face up and becomes available to play.
- Cycling: when the deck is exhausted, the waste pile is flipped to form a new deck. No standard limit on cycling.
- Waste pile: only the top card of the waste pile is available to play at any time.
Card Movement Rules
These are the specific rules that determine whether a move is valid.
Valid Moves
- Tableau to Tableau: place a card on another that is one rank higher and opposite in colour. Example: black 6 on red 7.
- Tableau or Deck to Foundation: place a card on the correct foundation if it is the correct suit and next rank in sequence.
- Foundation to Tableau: a card may be moved from a foundation back to the tableau if the receiving column can accept it.
- King to empty column: a King (alone or leading a sequence) is the only card that may start an empty tableau column.
Invalid Moves
- Placing a card on a same-colour card in the tableau
- Placing a non-Ace card on an empty foundation pile
- Placing a card of the wrong suit on a foundation pile
- Placing any card other than a King in an empty column
- Moving a face-down card. Face-down cards cannot be selected or moved
Drawing & Deck Rules
- Draw one: in standard Klondike, one card is drawn per action.
- Waste pile access: only the top card of the waste pile is in play. You cannot skip past it.
- Re-cycling: when the deck is empty, the waste pile becomes the new deck. The order is preserved.
- EazeGames deck rule: EazeGames uses standard Draw 1 Klondike rules. Both players draw from the same deck sequence, ensuring equal conditions.
Completing & Out of moves Conditions
How You complete a level
You complete the level when all four foundation piles are complete, each containing 13 cards (Ace through King) in the correct suit. All 52 cards must be on the foundations.
How You go out of moves
You go ‘out of moves’ when no valid moves remain in the tableau and the deck is exhausted. Not every deck can be completed. Some distributions make completion mathematically impossible.
Winning on EazeGames
Both players receive the same deck. The player who builds the foundations more effectively wins. If neither can complete the game, the player who obtained the most points wins.
Ready to play? Practice solitaire free on EazeGames, no account or download required.
Common Rule Confusion
Can you move cards back from the foundation?
Yes. Moving a card from the foundation back to the tableau is a legal move in standard Klondike. It may occasionally be tactically useful.
Can you place any card in an empty column?
No. Only a King, or a sequence led by a King, may be placed in an empty column.
How many times can you go through the deck?
In standard Klondike, there is no limit. You may cycle through the deck as many times as needed.
Can you move a face-down card?
No. Face-down cards become available only when the card above them is moved and they flip face up.
Does colour matter, or just rank?
Both matter for tableau moves. Cards must alternate in colour AND descend in rank. A red 8 on a red 9 is not a valid move.
Solitaire Variants Explained
Solitaire is a family of card games. The variant determines the setup, number of decks, and sequencing rules.
| Rule | Klondike (EazeGames) | Spider | FreeCell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decks | 1 deck (52 cards) | 2 decks (104 cards) | 1 deck (52 cards) |
| Columns | 7 tableau columns | 10 tableau columns | 8 tableau columns |
| Foundations | 4 piles, Ace to King | 8 piles, Ace to King | 4 piles, Ace to King |
| Sequence rule | Alternating colours | Same suit only | Any colour sequence |
| Stock | Yes, draw 1 | Yes, deals rows | No stock |
| Free cells | None | None | 4 temporary holding cells |
| Empty columns | Kings only | Any card | Any card |
| On EazeGames | Yes, 100% skill-based | No | No |
For a full comparison of variants and help choosing the right one, see the best solitaire games guide. For comparison, the Mahjong rules page covers another tile and card game on EazeGames with its own distinct rule structure.
How Solitaire Rules Work on EazeGames
EazeGames uses standard Klondike Solitaire rules with structural additions: both players receive the exact same deck in the same order, and can view upcoming cards from the deck, as well as face-down cards on the tableau to make informed decisions.This eliminates luck completely. All standard card movement rules apply, and both players draw from the same sequence.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of how to play, visit how to play solitaire. To understand the decision-making that separates good players from great ones, read the solitaire strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solitaire Rules
What are the rules of solitaire?
In standard Klondike, cards move in descending order, alternating red and black in the tableau. Foundation piles are built by suit from Ace to King. Only Kings may fill empty columns. Draw from the deck when no tableau moves are available. You complete the level when all four foundations are complete.
How many rows does solitaire have?
Standard Klondike has seven tableau columns. Column 1 has 1 card, column 2 has 2, and so on up to column 7 with 7 cards, 28 cards total. The remaining 24 cards form the deck.
Can you put any card on an empty space in solitaire?
No. In standard Klondike, only a King, or a sequence led by a King, may be placed in an empty tableau column.
What happens when you can’t move in solitaire?
Draw from the deck. If the deck is also exhausted and no moves remain, you are out of moves
Is there a difference between solitaire and patience rules?
No. Solitaire and patience refer to the same game. Patience is the common name in the UK and Europe. The rules are identical.