Historia
Solitaire card games have been played since the mid-18th century, likely originating in Germany or Scandinavia. The word "solitaire" comes from French, meaning "solitary" or "alone." In British English, these games are typically called "patience," reflecting their meditative, time-passing nature.
Klondike, the variant most people mean when they say "Solitaire," gained its name during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush in Canada's Yukon Territory. Prospectors and settlers played the game to pass long winter hours. The name stuck, and Klondike became the dominant solitaire variant in North America.
The game reached unprecedented popularity when Microsoft included it in Windows 3.0 (1990). The intent was partially to teach users how to drag and drop with a mouse—fundamental skills for graphical interfaces. An estimated billion games of Microsoft Solitaire have been played, making it one of the most-played video games in history.
Despite its ubiquity, many don't realize that Solitaire requires genuine skill. Approximately 80% of Klondike games are theoretically winnable, but human players typically win only 25-30% due to imperfect play. Expert players using optimal strategies can achieve much higher win rates.
Maailmalla
- Klondike
- Patience
- Réussite
- Kabale
- Pasjans
Strategia
Winning Solitaire requires more strategy than many realize. Here are expert techniques:
Prioritize Foundation vs. Tableau
Don't automatically move cards to foundations. Sometimes keeping a card in the tableau to maintain building options is better. Only move to foundations when it doesn't limit future plays.
Reveal Hidden Cards
Priority number one is revealing face-down cards. More visible cards mean more options. Prefer moves that flip new cards over moves that don't.
Empty Columns
Empty columns are extremely valuable—only Kings can go there. Don't fill them without purpose. Save empty columns for Kings that will unlock important face-down cards.
King Placement
When you have a choice of Kings for an empty column, choose strategically. Which King placement reveals more face-down cards? Which color King helps your current builds?
Building Strategy
Build evenly across tableau columns when possible. A very long column with many accessible cards is less useful than multiple moderate columns. Spread your options.
Stock Management
In draw-three mode, you cycle through the stock in the same order. Note which cards are buried and plan accordingly. Sometimes you deliberately hold back from playing a card to change the cycle.
Color Balance
Keep foundation builds relatively even between red and black. If you build hearts/diamonds far ahead of clubs/spades, you'll run out of red cards to play on the tableau.
Plan Ahead
Before moving, think several moves ahead. Will this move block something important? What sequence of moves achieves the goal? Avoid impulsive plays.
Recognize Unwinnable Games
Some games cannot be won due to card ordering. If you've cycled through the stock multiple times without progress, the game may be stuck. Learn to recognize these situations.
Muunnelmat
Solitaire encompasses hundreds of variations:
Spider Solitaire
Uses two decks. Build tableau sequences down by same suit. Complete a King-to-Ace sequence to remove it. One, two, or four-suit variants offer different difficulty levels.
FreeCell
All cards are dealt face-up. Four "free cells" provide temporary storage. Near-perfect information makes it highly strategic—almost all deals are winnable with perfect play.
Pyramid
Cards form a pyramid. Remove pairs totaling 13 (K=13 alone). Clear the pyramid to win. More luck-dependent than Klondike.
Golf
Five columns with seven cards each. Build one waste pile up or down regardless of suit. Try to clear all columns.
Tri-Peaks (TriTowers)
Three overlapping pyramids. Remove cards one higher or lower than the waste pile top. Clear all cards to win.
Yukon
Similar to Klondike but all cards are dealt face-up. You can move any face-up card with all cards below it. No stock pile.
Baker's Dozen
Thirteen columns of four cards. Build foundations up by suit. No empty column restriction.
Forty Thieves
Two decks, ten tableau piles. Build down by suit (not alternating color). Very difficult.
Accordion
Cards in a long row. Collapse matching cards to compress the "accordion." Get to one pile.
Usein kysytyt kysymykset
Approximately 79-82% of Klondike deals are theoretically winnable with perfect play. However, human players without perfect information typically win 25-35% of games. Some deals are impossible regardless of skill.