More than 500 variants of solitaire exist, but not all of them are equally known and popular. On this page we discuss the 7 most popular solitaire games. Their popularity can be due to their long history, due to requiring a clever strategy for solving them or because they are the most relaxing solitaire games.
Klondike Solitaire
Klondike Solitaire is the classic solitaire game we all know. Despite all the existing variants, Klondike is still the most played solitaire game, balancing skill and luck.
FreeCell
FreeCell Solitaire is a well-known solitaire game that requires more skill than luck. 99.99% of deals can be won because all cards are face-up at the start.
Spider Solitaire
Spider Solitaire is a very challenging game that can take a long time to complete, but it is very rewarding when you win. The goal is to make 8 in-suit sequences from King to Ace in the tableau, which will be removed when completed.
Pyramid Solitaire
The deal of Pyramid Solitaire is quite unique: 28 cards are dealt face-up in the shape of a pyramid, partly overlapping. The goal is to remove all these cards from the pyramid by pairing cards that add up to 13. Pyramid Solitaire is probably the most well-known game in the Adding & Pairing category.
Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is played by removing cards from the tableau to the waste pile. Only cards that are one higher or lower in rank than the top card of the waste pile can be removed, irrespective of suit. The rules are very simple, making golf solitaire a very relaxing game to play.
Tri Peaks Solitaire
Tri Peaks Solitaire has similar gameplay as Golf Solitaire, but the tableau is laid out in the shape of three peaks. It is a short game with a relatively high chance of winning.
Forty Thieves
Forty Thieves is a difficult game despite its simple rules. At the start, 40 cards are dealt face-up into 10 tableau piles. The remaining cards form the stock and can be turned over one at a time to the waste pile. The tableau is built down by suit. Only one card at a time can be moved. Empty spaces can be filled with any card. The foundations are built up in-suit, from Ace to King.
