How to Play Double Klondike Solitaire

Types of Piles

Foundation piles: These are the empty piles at the beginning of the game. You’ll build them up as you go, usually starting with aces.

Tableau piles: These are the workable piles on the table. They are shuffled and dealt before the card game starts.

Stock pile: This pile is the remainder of the deck that hasn’t gone into the tableau piles. Ensure you place them face down.

Waste pile: As you empty the stock pile, the cards you don’t place in the tableau make up the waste pile.

Setup

Unlike regular Klondike solitaire, where there are seven columns (known as the tableau), there are now nine columns. The first tableau pile begins with one card, the second pile has two, the third three, and so on until you reach nine total piles. The top card of each tableau should be placed face-up with the remaining playing cards face down.

The remaining cards are placed in the stock pile - these can be used throughout the game when you run out of moves.

If you’re playing an online game of solitaire, then the game is set up for you. If you’re playing with real cards, be sure to remove the jokers from both decks before dealing a new game.

Object

The objective of double Klondike solitaire is the same as all other variants - move all cards to the foundation piles in the correct order to win. Although, in the double version, there are more cards, so there are twice as many cards to move.

All foundation piles must start with an ace and finish with a king, built in ascending suit order. For example, when you start a foundation pile with the ace of diamonds, you’ll finish it with the king of diamonds.

This version of the game is classic Klondike, but with twice as many cards, making it a little easier.

Rules

Regular Klondike rules apply to double Klondike solitaire, but nonetheless, the rules are as follows:

• Foundations must be built up in ascending suit order: e.g., Ace of Diamonds to King of Diamonds

• Tableaus build in descending order, alternating color between red and black: the top card of each pile can be played on the foundation piles

• You can move cards one by one or multiple at one time. But to move a group of cards, these must be ordered by rank.

• Only kings can move into empty tableau spaces.

• Stock and waste piles are included: use these for extra cards and to dump cards when you can’t make a move

• If you can’t make a move, use the waste pile: this opens up more moves and allows you to continue the game

What is the best strategy for winning Double Klondike Solitaire?

If you’re familiar with regular Klondike solitaire and find yourself winning more games than you lose, then your regular strategy should work. Note that you may want to change it up ever so slightly to account for twice as many cards.

Expose face-down cards early

It’s the ultimate strategy for any solitaire card game variant — reveal as many new cards as you can as early as possible.

If cards are not face-up, then they can’t be played. Face-up cards open up more moves for you to play.

You also won’t find the aces in the deck to begin building the foundations if you’re not revealing as many cards as you can.

Empty spaces are your friends.

Moving kings out of your way to reveal new cards is a big help when you get stuck. If you can maneuver to empt the small tableau piles early, it’ll give you room to move your kings around.

Don’t play more than three cards in one go from the waste pile 

Although not essential, you should do your best not to play more than three cards in one go from the waste pile. Doing so allows you to reach different cards to keep your game running smoothly.

Build the foundation piles evenly 

Building foundations early in your solitaire game is key, but you should also try and build your foundation piles evenly.

Failure to build up evenly may slow down progress in the tableaus, ultimately making it more difficult and time-consuming to build from ace to king.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is every Double Klondike Solitaire game winnable?

Not every game of double Klondike solitaire is winnable, although it’s easier to win than regular Klondike and much easier than Yukon variants.

Are there any variants?

Yes, try Triple Klondike Solitaire, where the rules are the same but another deck is added.

What is the difference between Klondike and classic solitaire?

Klondike is the classic version of solitaire!

Is playing solitaire good for your brain?

Solitaire is great for your brain! Whether playing Freecell or Klondike - it requires a high level of attention, develops problem-solving skills, and helps the brain to relax. Plus, it’s fun!