Klondike may be the most famous Solitaire game, but it’s just one of hundreds of single-player card games in the Patience family. Each variant offers a unique blend of rules, strategy, and challenge. This guide covers the most popular variants, how they work, and what makes each one worth playing.

Variant Overview Table

Variant Decks Tableau Cols Foundation Goal Difficulty Win Rate
Klondike 1 7 A→K by suit Medium ~82%*
Spider 2 10 Build suit runs K→A Hard 33–99%**
FreeCell 1 8 A→K by suit Medium ~99.99%
Pyramid 1 Pyramid shape Remove pairs summing to 13 Easy–Medium ~2%
Tri-Peaks 1 3 peaks Clear by ±1 rank Easy ~90%
Golf 1 7 Clear by ±1 rank Easy ~30%
Canfield 1 4 Variable start rank Hard ~35%
Yukon 1 7 A→K by suit Medium ~80%
Clock 1 12+1 clock piles Match rank to position Easy ~1%

*With perfect play. **Depends on number of suits used.

Spider Solitaire

Spider is the second most popular Solitaire variant, known for its two-deck, 10-column layout and the challenge of building same-suit sequences.

How It Works

  • Uses 2 decks (104 cards) dealt across 10 tableau columns.
  • Build descending sequences in the tableau. Complete a King-to-Ace same-suit run to remove it.
  • Remove all 8 same-suit runs to win.
  • Extra cards are dealt from the stock in rows of 10.

Difficulty Modes

Mode Suits Used Difficulty Approx. Win Rate
1-Suit Spades only Easy ~99%
2-Suit Spades + Hearts Medium ~50%
4-Suit All four Hard ~33%

What Makes It Unique

Spider’s same-suit requirement creates deep strategic puzzles. You can temporarily build with mixed suits, but only complete same-suit runs can be removed. The tension between using off-suit cards for short-term progress and building pure sequences for the win is endlessly engaging.

For a full breakdown, see our Spider Solitaire deep dive.

FreeCell

FreeCell stands apart from most Solitaire variants because all cards are face-up from the start. There is no hidden information — the game is pure strategy.

How It Works

  • Uses 1 deck (52 cards) dealt face-up across 8 tableau columns.
  • Build tableau columns in descending order, alternating colors — same as Klondike.
  • Four free cells provide temporary storage for individual cards.
  • Move Aces to foundations and build up by suit to King.

Why Nearly Every Deal Is Winnable

With all information visible, a skilled player can plan a complete path to victory. Of the roughly 8 billion possible FreeCell deals, only a handful (like the famous Deal #11982) are proven unsolvable.

What Makes It Unique

FreeCell transforms Solitaire from a game of partial information and luck into something closer to a pure puzzle. The four free cells act as a limited workspace — managing them is the core strategic challenge.

For a full breakdown, see our FreeCell deep dive.

Pyramid Solitaire

Pyramid uses a completely different mechanic — instead of building sequences, you remove pairs of cards that sum to 13.

How It Works

  • 28 cards are dealt in a pyramid shape (7 rows).
  • Remove exposed pairs that sum to 13 (e.g., 6 + 7, 4 + 9, Q + A).
  • Kings (value 13) are removed individually.
  • Draw from a stock pile when no pairs are available.
  • Win by removing all cards from the pyramid.

Card Values for Pairing

Card Value Pairs With
Ace 1 Queen (12)
2 2 Jack (11)
3 3 10
4 4 9
5 5 8
6 6 7
King 13 Removed alone

What Makes It Unique

Pyramid’s pairing mechanic feels fundamentally different from building-based Solitaire. It’s quick, approachable, and offers a satisfying puzzle even though the win rate is low (~2%). The visual pyramid layout is instantly recognizable.

Tri-Peaks (Three Peaks)

Tri-Peaks is a fast, casual variant with three overlapping peaks of cards.

How It Works

  • 28 cards form three peaks; the remaining 24 are in the stock.
  • Build on a waste pile by playing cards that are ±1 rank from the waste’s top card (e.g., if waste shows 7, you can play 6 or 8).
  • Suit doesn’t matter — only rank.
  • Clear all three peaks to win.

What Makes It Unique

Tri-Peaks is one of the easiest and fastest Solitaire variants. Games typically last 2–3 minutes, and the high win rate makes it satisfying for casual play. The three-peak layout creates interesting choices about which peak to attack first.

Golf Solitaire

Golf is a streamlined game where you try to clear a seven-column tableau by building up or down on a single waste pile.

How It Works

  • 35 cards are dealt face-up in 7 columns of 5 cards each.
  • Only the bottom card of each column is playable.
  • Build on the waste pile by playing cards ±1 rank from the top card (suit doesn’t matter).
  • Draw from the stock when stuck.
  • Win by clearing all 35 tableau cards.

What Makes It Unique

Golf’s simplicity makes it a great “palate cleanser” between more intense variants. The strategy lies in choosing which column to play from when multiple options exist — a seemingly simple decision that carries chain-reaction consequences.

Canfield

Canfield was originally a casino game — a house-banked Solitaire variant dealt at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, New York.

How It Works

  • Deal 13 cards into a reserve pile (face-up, only top card playable).
  • Deal 4 tableau columns of 1 card each.
  • A random card is placed as the first foundation card — all foundations must start at this rank.
  • Build foundations up by suit, wrapping around (e.g., if foundations start at 7, you build 7 → 8 → … → K → A → 2 → … → 6).
  • Build tableau down in alternating colors.

What Makes It Unique

The variable foundation starting rank makes every Canfield game feel different. The reserve pile adds a constraint not found in most other variants. Its casino origins give it a distinctive connection to gambling history.

Yukon

Yukon is often described as Klondike without a stock pile — and with the freedom to move any face-up card group, even if the group isn’t in proper sequence.

How It Works

  • Uses 1 deck dealt into 7 tableau columns (same shape as Klondike).
  • All remaining cards (after the initial Klondike deal) are placed face-up across columns 2–7.
  • You can move any face-up card and all cards on top of it, regardless of sequence.
  • Build tableau in descending order, alternating colors.
  • Build foundations up by suit from Ace to King.

What Makes It Unique

The ability to move un-ordered groups opens up creative possibilities that Klondike doesn’t allow. Without a stock pile, everything you need to win is on the tableau from the start. This makes Yukon feel more open and strategic.

Clock Solitaire (Clock Patience)

Clock is a purely luck-based variant with a charming clock-shaped layout.

How It Works

  • Deal all 52 cards face-down into 13 piles of 4 — 12 piles arranged like a clock face, 1 pile in the center.
  • Flip the top card of the center pile. Place it face-up under the clock position matching its rank (Ace = 1 o’clock, 2 = 2 o’clock, …, Queen = 12 o’clock, King = center).
  • Flip the top card of that pile and continue.
  • Win if all cards are turned face-up. Lose if the 4th King is turned before all other cards are placed.

What Makes It Unique

Clock Solitaire requires zero decisions — the outcome is entirely determined by the shuffle. It’s a quick diversion that takes about one minute to play, with a win rate of roughly 1%.

Choosing the Right Variant

If You Want… Try…
The classic experience Klondike
A complex challenge Spider (4-suit)
Pure strategy, no luck FreeCell
Quick, casual games Tri-Peaks or Golf
Something completely different Pyramid
Historical flavor Canfield
Open, creative play Yukon
A 60-second time-killer Clock

Keep Exploring

Each variant opens up new strategies and challenges. For deep dives into the most popular alternatives: