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Solitaire Strategy & Tips

Even experienced players can improve their win rate with better strategy. These tips apply to both Draw 1 and Draw 3 Klondike solitaire.

Always Play Aces and Twos Immediately

Move Aces and Twos to the foundation as soon as they appear. They can never be useful on the tableau, and delaying costs potential moves later.

Prioritize Uncovering Face-Down Cards

Your biggest advantage comes from information. Choose moves that flip face-down cards over moves that don't. Target columns with the most hidden cards first.

Don't Empty a Column Without a King

An empty tableau column can only be filled with a King. Don't create empty columns unless you have a King ready, or you're unlocking important hidden cards.

Be Careful Moving Cards to Foundations Too Early

While Aces and Twos are safe, higher cards might be needed on the tableau to uncover hidden cards. Don't move a card to the foundation if it could serve as a link in a tableau sequence.

Use the Undo Button Strategically

StillDeck supports up to 100 undo steps per game. Use it to explore different move sequences. Try a move, see what it reveals, then undo if a different choice looks better.

Draw 3 Specific Tips

In Draw 3, you can only access every third card. Plan ahead by noting which cards are in which positions. Avoid recycling the stock too often — each recycle costs 20 points and limits your options.

Know When a Game Is Stuck

Not every deal is solvable. If you've cycled through the stock multiple times with no new moves, it may be time to start a new game. Roughly 20% of Klondike deals are unwinnable even with perfect play.