Blog

1. Klondike Solitaire

Klondike is the game most people picture when they hear the word “solitaire.” You deal seven tableau columns, build them down in alternating colours, and move cards up to four foundation piles sorted by suit from Ace to King. The stock pile gives you fresh cards when you're stuck, and the goal is to clear the entire deck.

With roughly a 30% win rate in the standard draw-three variant, Klondike strikes a satisfying balance between luck and skill. It's the perfect starting point for anyone new to solitaire, and it remains endlessly replayable for veterans who enjoy optimizing every move.

2. Spider Solitaire

Spider Solitaire uses two full decks and challenges you to build complete King-to-Ace sequences within ten tableau columns. You can play with one, two, or four suits — each level dramatically increases the difficulty. The one-suit version is a relaxing warm-up, while the four-suit game is one of the hardest solitaire variants in existence.

What makes Spider special is the depth of planning required. Every deal from the stock adds a card to each column, so timing your deals correctly is critical. Players who enjoy multi-layered strategic thinking will find Spider incredibly rewarding.

3. FreeCell

FreeCell is the thinker's solitaire. All 52 cards are dealt face-up from the start, which means every game is a pure logic puzzle with no hidden information. Four free cells act as temporary storage, letting you manoeuvre cards through tight situations. Nearly every deal is winnable — only a handful of the 32,000 classic deals are proven impossible.

The near-perfect win rate doesn't make FreeCell easy, though. Solving a game efficiently requires careful sequencing and forward planning. It's the ideal choice for players who want to feel like every loss was avoidable and every win was earned.

4. Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid Solitaire arranges 28 cards in a triangular formation. Your goal is to remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13 — for example, a 6 and a 7, or a Queen and an Ace. Kings are removed on their own since they already equal 13. The remaining cards cycle through a stock pile.

Despite its simple rules, Pyramid has a surprisingly low win rate. The pairing mechanic creates an addictive “just one more game” loop, and rounds are short enough to squeeze in during a coffee break. It's a refreshing change of pace from tableau-based solitaire games.

5. Yukon Solitaire

Yukon is Klondike's wilder cousin. The entire deck is dealt across seven tableau columns with most cards face-up, and there's no stock pile at all. The twist is that you can move any face-up card along with all cards on top of it, even if the group isn't in sequence. This rule opens up creative moves that aren't possible in standard Klondike.

Yukon rewards aggressive play and the ability to see several moves ahead. Because every card is visible from the start, skilled players can plan elaborate chains of moves that feel deeply satisfying when they come together.

6. Tri-Peaks Solitaire

Tri-Peaks (also called TriTowers) arranges cards into three overlapping pyramid peaks. You clear cards by selecting those one rank higher or lower than the current waste card, building long streaks for bonus points. The streak-based scoring system makes every consecutive match more valuable than the last.

This is solitaire at its most fast-paced and arcade-like. Games take just a few minutes, and the pursuit of longer streaks keeps you coming back. Tri-Peaks is perfect when you want something light, breezy, and instantly gratifying.

7. Golf Solitaire

Golf Solitaire is stripped-down simplicity at its finest. Seven columns of five overlapping cards sit above a stock pile, and you clear cards that are one rank above or below the top of the waste pile. There's no building on the tableau — once a column is empty, it stays empty.

The low win rate masks how addictive Golf really is. Each round takes only a couple of minutes, and the straightforward rules make it easy to zone out and play game after game. It's the solitaire equivalent of a quick nine holes — simple, relaxing, and surprisingly hard to put down.

8. Crescent Solitaire

Crescent is one of the lesser-known solitaire games, but it deserves far more attention. It uses two full decks arranged in a crescent-shaped tableau of 16 piles surrounding eight foundation piles. Four foundations build up from Aces, while the other four build down from Kings, and you can only move the top card of each tableau pile.

What sets Crescent apart is its “reshuffle” mechanic: you get three chances to rotate the bottom card of each tableau pile to the top, injecting new possibilities into a stuck position. Crescent rewards patience and careful card tracking across a wide playing field.

9. Canfield Solitaire

Canfield has a colourful history — it was originally a casino gambling game where players paid $52 for a deck and earned $5 back for every card played to the foundation. A 13-card reserve pile feeds into four tableau columns, and the foundation base card is chosen randomly, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to every deal.

The random foundation start means your strategy must adapt on the fly. Canfield is compact, challenging, and fast enough to fit multiple games into a lunch break. If you enjoy high-stakes tension with a low win rate, Canfield delivers that experience without the actual wager.

10. Forty Thieves

Forty Thieves — also known as Napoleon at St. Helena — is a double-deck solitaire game that will test even experienced players. Forty cards are dealt face-up across ten tableau columns (four cards each), and you can only move one card at a time. Tableau building is by suit in descending order, which is far more restrictive than the alternating-colour rules of Klondike.

The single-card movement rule and same-suit building make Forty Thieves brutally selective about which moves are possible. Creating empty columns is essential, and knowing when to use your stock pile versus when to hold back is the key to victory. This is a game for players who relish a genuine challenge.

11. Scorpion Solitaire

Scorpion is a close relative of Spider Solitaire, but it plays with a single deck and its own distinct twist. Seven tableau columns receive 49 cards, with three cards dealt face-down in the first three columns. You build down by suit and can move any face-up card along with everything below it in the column, regardless of sequence.

The combination of face-down blockers and same-suit building creates tight, puzzle-like situations that demand creative problem-solving. Scorpion is less well-known than Spider, but players who discover it often find it just as compelling. Three reserve cards dealt late in the game can either rescue a hopeless position or complicate an otherwise clean solve.

How to Choose the Right Solitaire Game

Picking the right solitaire game depends on what kind of experience you're after. If you want a quick, casual session, reach for Golf, Tri-Peaks, or Pyramid. All three play fast, require minimal setup, and offer satisfying micro-decisions without demanding deep concentration.

For a more cerebral challenge, try FreeCell or Yukon. Both lay all cards face-up and reward forward planning — you'll feel like you're solving a real puzzle with every game. And if you're a seasoned solitaire player looking for something truly punishing, Forty Thieves and Scorpion will push your skills to the limit.

Of course, there's no wrong answer — the best solitaire game is the one you keep coming back to. All 11 games are free to play right here on SuitedGames with no downloads, no ads, and provably fair shuffles. Deal yourself in and discover your new favourite.