Solitaire is among the most popular card games, and some say it's addicting. That's because it helps people keep their minds active while relieving stress. Plus, playing this kind of game can boost your self-esteem because you can quickly improve at the game as you keep playing it.
Solitaire helps with concentration, as you don't do this activity passively, like a muscle-memory hobby. This can benefit people with ADHD and those having trouble concentrating.
Solitaire is versatile because many types of this game are available. While all versions follow a similar concept, there are a few variations between them. Here are 5 types of Solitaire games that are fun and addictive.
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Classic Solitaire
Also known as Klondike, Classic Solitaire is the most common solitaire game. This popular game is played by people all around the world and is ideal for everyone who's more than eight years old. The game involves seven columns, each with one card facing up. Starting from column two, you'll have the column number minus one card facing down while the bottom card faces up. This means in the sixth column, you have five cards facing down and the last one facing up.
The game's goal is to arrange four discard piles in increasing order, beginning with the ace. You can use the cards from the tableau that are face up, and once you've removed them, you can turn the following card. You can go through the deck once or three times. In the former case, you're allowed to turn over each of your cards, while if you choose the latter option, you can only turn over every third card. To win the game, you need to use all the cards in your deck and clear the tableau.
Spider Solitaire
This is another type of Solitaire that Windows has popularized since 1995. This fun and casual game is suitable for people of all ages because you can adjust the difficulty level by choosing the number of decks. While you can complete a one-deck game in just a few minutes, it takes more time to play a two- to four-deck game.
Typically, the default number of decks that players use is two. Like Klondike, Spider Solitaire has variations based on the starting card layout and how many decks you use. You can't win every game of Spider Solitaire; however, you can increase your chance of winning by planning your strategy carefully. This includes:
- Building suit;
- Exposing hidden cards when possible;
- Making empty piles as early as you can;
- Building on higher cards initially;
- Arranging cards in suit order before dealing the following ten cards.
FreeCell Solitaire
FreeCell Solitaire is a pretty unique version of the game. The cards are face-up, and you have open cells that allow you to reserve cards. If you play it right, you can rarely encounter a game you can't solve – the odds are 8 out of a million, which translates into a percentage of 0.0008%. When it comes to other types of solitaire games, there are higher chances of getting an unsolvable game. Thus, if you aren't able to win a FreeCell game, you're likely doing something wrong, so don't blame the game for it!
Many believe this type of Solitaire is more accessible than the rest, but unlike Spider Solitaire and Classic Solitaire, this version is based on strategy. At the beginning of the game, it's essential to determine your goals and analyze the tableau carefully.
As you play it, make sure to keep the free cells empty and build an empty tableau column as early as possible. If you get stuck during the game, you should take a step back rather than give up and figure out where you made the wrong move. You can distract yourself with TV or some stretching and return to the game later after refreshing your mind.
Pyramid Solitaire
Pyramid Solitaire has very simple rules, so you can quickly learn how to play the game. It's perfect if you want to kill some time with an entertaining activity. Like traditional Solitaire, this game includes a standard 52-card deck, and the goal is to remove all the cards from the pyramid. You have to turn the cards from the stock one at a time, and if you can't pair a particular card with another one available, it goes to a waste pile.
At any point in the game, you can transfer single exposed kings or a pair of available 13 cards to the discard pile. Available cards are those completely exposed and involve six reserve cards, the last card you've turned over from the stock, the first card of the waste pile, and any card in the pyramid that isn't completely covered. Pyramid cards are available when you remove the two cards that cover them. Once the stock is exhausted and you can't find more pairs of 13, the game ends.
Golf Solitaire
Last but not least, Golf Solitaire is another type of the popular game that's fun and equally requires anticipation and luck. The game's goal is to take the cards from the seven columns and transfer them to the waste pile as quickly as possible. It probably sounds easy, but this is a speed game, as the score is proportional to the time you spend clearing out the columns. This means you have to make your moves fast. The card that you transfer to the waste pile has to be a number higher or lower than the one at the top of the waste pile.
If you find yourself unable to make another move at any point during the game, it's possible to take a card from the stock and move it to the waste pile. This allows you to open other options. Once you transfer all the cards to the waste pile, you win the game – but if you fail to do so, you have to restart it.
Solitaire games are fun to play alone
Some games may be boring to play on your own, but not Solitaire. They are the perfect way to entertain yourself, and you can play them freely. The best thing about Solitaire games is that there's a lot of variety to explore, so it's impossible to ever get bored of them!
Plus, they have many benefits, helping you develop strategic and logical thinking and relaxing your mind. Now that you've learnt about these five types of Solitaire games, you should try playing one – we promise you'll have a lot of fun!
