Klondike Solitaire Variants

Klondike Solitaire Variants

Klondike Solitaire has inspired many variants over the years, each adding its own twist to the classic formula. Some variants make the game easier, others more challenging, and a few transform it into an entirely different strategic experience. Here are the most popular and noteworthy Klondike variants.

Draw 1 (Turn 1)

The easier of the two standard draw modes. One card is turned from the stock to the waste pile at a time, meaning every card in the stock becomes accessible during each pass through the deck.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Estimated win rate: ~40–60% for skilled players; ~79% theoretically solvable
• Redeals: Unlimited (standard)
• Best for: Beginners and casual play

Draw 3 (Turn 3)

The more challenging standard mode. Three cards are turned from the stock at once, and only the top card is playable. To access the other two, you must first play or move the cards above them. This creates a significantly harder puzzle because two out of every three stock cards are initially blocked.

• Difficulty: Hard
• Estimated win rate: ~15–35% for skilled players
• Redeals: Unlimited (standard) or limited to 2–3 passes
• Best for: Experienced players seeking a challenge

Vegas Solitaire (Casino Klondike)

Inspired by the gambling houses of the American West (and the Klondike saloons), Vegas Solitaire introduces a monetary scoring system. You "buy" a deck for $52 and earn $5 for each card placed on a foundation. The goal is to earn more than you spent.

• Buy-in: $52 per game
• Payout: $5 per foundation card (max $260 for a perfect game)
• Profit target: 11+ cards on foundations to break even
• Draw mode: Typically Draw 1 with a single pass through the stock
• Difficulty: Very Hard (due to single pass limit)

Some Vegas Solitaire versions feature a "cumulative" mode where your balance carries over across multiple games, adding long-term risk and reward dynamics.

Thoughtful Klondike (Open Klondike)

In Thoughtful Klondike, all cards are dealt face-up from the beginning, including the cards in the tableau that would normally be face-down. This eliminates the element of hidden information and transforms the game into a pure puzzle of strategy and planning.

• Difficulty: Moderate (less luck, more strategy)
• Estimated solvability: ~82% of deals are solvable
• Key difference: All cards visible from the start
• Best for: Players who prefer pure strategy over luck

Whitehead

Whitehead is a Klondike variant where all tableau cards are dealt face-up, sequences are built by same color (not alternating), and only sequences of the same suit can be moved as a group. Any card (not just Kings) can fill an empty tableau column.

• Building rule: Same color (red on red, black on black)
• Group moves: Only same-suit sequences
• Empty columns: Any card can fill
• Difficulty: Hard (despite face-up cards, the suit restriction is challenging)

Westcliff

Westcliff uses a larger initial tableau with 10 columns of 3 cards each (all face-up), leaving 22 cards in the stock. Tableau building follows standard Klondike rules (descending, alternating colors), but any card can fill an empty column. The larger tableau and relaxed empty-column rule make this variant easier than standard Klondike.

• Tableau: 10 columns of 3 face-up cards
• Stock: 22 cards
• Empty columns: Any card can fill
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Double Klondike

Double Klondike uses two standard decks (104 cards) and features nine tableau columns instead of seven. There are eight foundation piles (two per suit). The doubled deck creates longer games with more complex decisions.

• Decks: 2 (104 cards total)
• Tableau columns: 9
• Foundation piles: 8 (two per suit)
• Difficulty: Hard (more cards means more complexity)

Agnes Bernauer

Named after a 15th-century Bavarian woman, Agnes Bernauer is a Klondike variant where the foundation starting card is determined by the first card dealt after the tableau. For example, if a 5 is drawn, all four foundations must start with a 5 and wrap from King to Ace. The remaining stock cards are dealt in batches of seven onto a reserve row.

• Foundation start: Determined by the 29th card
• Building: Foundations wrap (King to Ace if needed)
• Tableau building: Same color, descending
• Difficulty: Hard

Variant Comparison