Klondike Solitaire Strategy: 7 Tips to Win More Games

Klondike has some luck, but good decisions win many more games, especially in draw 3. These seven habits make the biggest difference. New to the game? Read the rules first.

1. Turn over hidden cards first

The 21 face-down cards in the columns are the problem in every game. When you have a choice, make the move that turns a card over. Prefer the column with the most hidden cards: the seventh column holds six.

2. Draw from the stock last

The stock is always there; a chance to free a column card may not be. Make every useful move in the columns before turning more stock cards.

3. Don't empty a column without a King to put there

An empty column is only useful for a King. Emptying one when no King is available just wastes a move. When you do have a choice of Kings, pick the one whose colour fits the Queen you'll want to move next.

4. Don't rush cards to the foundations

Aces and 2s should go up right away. A higher card may still be needed in a column to hold the next card down, for example a black 6 to hold a red 5. Move it up when both cards one rank lower of the other colour are on the foundations, or when it blocks something.

5. Keep your options balanced

Building long runs in one column makes them hard to move later. If two moves are equally good, choose the one that keeps cards spread across columns, or that opens more choices next turn.

6. In draw 3, think about the stock order

With draw 3, playing one card from the waste changes which cards come up on every later pass. Sometimes it's worth playing a waste card just to change the order. Sometimes it's better to leave the stock alone because a card you need is due up next pass.

7. Use undo to explore

Undo is unlimited on kawu. When a game gets stuck, go back to the last real choice and try the other move. The game is solvable by default, so a different line usually exists.

Practise

Start with draw 1 until you win most games, then switch to draw 3, the classic challenge. The daily deal is the same for everyone: compare times with friends. For a game with no hidden cards, try FreeCell.

Last updated 2026-10-18