Use this reference to decide whether a Klondike move is legal. Rules describe what you may do; strategy explains which legal move is worth choosing. Stock, scoring and assistance settings are not identical across implementations.
Tableau and foundation rules
Tableau sequences descend by one rank and alternate colors. A black Queen accepts a red Jack, not a red 10. Only exposed cards can be moved; do not take a hidden card from the middle of a column. A transferred group must already be in a valid alternating sequence.
Each foundation belongs to one suit and begins with an Ace. Build upward one rank at a time. A 3 of diamonds cannot go onto a 2 of hearts. An empty tableau column takes a King or a valid King-led group.
Draw modes, redeals and scoring
Draw-one and draw-three alter access to stock cards, not the alternating-color tableau rule. Some games allow unlimited waste recycling; others limit passes. Do not describe a particular pass limit as universal.
Timers, Vegas scoring, automatic foundation moves, undo and guaranteed-solvable deals are separate options. Their existence must be checked in the selected game. We do not assert that an unverified provider offers any of them. Some versions allow cards to return from foundations; others restrict this, so check before relying on that tactic.
Three common illegal moves
Do not move red onto red because the numbers fit. Do not fill a cleared column with an Ace simply because it is small. Do not play a stock card that remains covered in the waste. These moves can look useful but violate standard Klondike rules.
Spider and FreeCell are separate games, not alternative scoring modes. Spider forms complete descending same-suit runs; FreeCell uses visible cards and temporary cells. Read the dedicated guides rather than applying every Klondike restriction to them.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Solitaire deals solvable?
No. Random Klondike deals can be unsolvable; an apparent dead end can also result from an earlier choice. No win rate is claimed here.
Does an Ace follow a King on the tableau?
No. Standard Klondike does not wrap ranks from Ace to King.
Rule references and scope
These sources support the standard-rule reference. Provider-specific modes and assistance need separate confirmation. The examples are instructional positions, not records of testing our embeds.