Card Game Glossary

Klondike Solitaire & Card Game Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of terms used in Klondike Solitaire and other card games. Whether you are learning the basics or brushing up on terminology, this reference covers the vocabulary you need.

Alternating Colors

A building rule requiring that consecutive cards alternate between red (Hearts, Diamonds) and black (Clubs, Spades). In Klondike, tableau columns are built using alternating colors in descending order.

Ascending Order

Building cards from low to high rank: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King. Foundation piles in Klondike are built in ascending order.

Available Card

A card that is free to be moved according to the game rules. In Klondike, only the top face-up card of each tableau column, the top card of the waste pile, and the top card of each foundation pile are available.

Build

To place cards in a specific sequence according to the game's rules. In Klondike, you build on the tableau in descending order with alternating colors, and on the foundations in ascending order by suit.

Cascade

A column or fan of overlapping cards in the tableau where each card is partially visible. Also refers to the action of cards automatically moving to the foundations at the end of a game when all cards are face-up.

Deal

The initial distribution of cards to set up the game, or the act of turning cards from the stock pile to the waste pile during play.

Deck

A standard set of 52 playing cards comprising four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades), each with 13 ranks (Ace through King). Klondike uses a single standard deck.

Descending Order

Building cards from high to low rank: King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace. Tableau columns in Klondike are built in descending order.

Draw

To turn one or more cards from the stock pile to the waste pile. "Draw 1" means turning one card at a time; "Draw 3" means turning three cards at a time.

Face-Down Card

A card placed with its back showing, hiding its rank and suit. In Klondike, the lower cards in each tableau column begin face-down and are turned face-up when exposed.

Foundation

The four piles where cards are built from Ace to King by suit. Completing all four foundations wins the game. In most layouts, foundations are positioned in the upper-right corner of the playing area.

Klondike

The most well-known solitaire card game, named after the Klondike region of Canada. It uses a single 52-card deck with seven tableau columns and four foundation piles.

Pack

Another term for a full deck of playing cards, typically 52 cards.

Patience

The British term for solitaire card games. The term is commonly used in the UK, Europe, and many other parts of the world.

Rank

The numerical or face value of a card. In order from lowest to highest: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.

Redeal

Turning the waste pile back over to form a new stock pile when the stock is empty. Standard Klondike allows unlimited redeals; some variants restrict the number of redeals.

Sequence

A group of cards arranged in consecutive rank order, possibly also matching a color or suit pattern. In Klondike, a valid tableau sequence is descending with alternating colors.

Stock (Draw Pile)

The face-down pile of cards remaining after the tableau is dealt. Players draw from the stock when no other moves are available. In Klondike, the stock begins with 24 cards.

Suit

One of the four categories in a standard deck: Hearts, Diamonds (red suits) and Clubs, Spades (black suits). Each suit contains 13 cards.

Tableau

The main playing area consisting of seven columns of cards. The first column has one card, the second has two, and so on up to seven. Cards are built on the tableau in descending order with alternating colors.

Talon

Another name for the waste pile. Cards drawn from the stock are placed face-up in the talon. Only the top card is available for play.

Waste Pile

The face-up pile where cards drawn from the stock are placed. Also called the talon. Only the top card of the waste pile can be moved to the tableau or foundations.