Solitaire has been a timeless classic since its invention in the late 18th century. Today, billions worldwide consider the classic playing card game their favorite way to pass the time.
It is a simple card game that anyone can play regardless of experience level or age. Technological advancements allow people to play solitaire anytime and anywhere without needing a standard deck of 52 playing cards.
However, did you know that the classic solitaire game you know and love is only a variation known as Klondike solitaire? Solitaire refers to the type of card game rather than the name of a card game.
There are hundreds of different versions and variations of solitaire that exist around the world. This article will cover the top five most popular versions of solitaire that you can play online, from the classic Klondike solitaire to the challenging spider solitaire.
1. Klondike Solitaire
Right next to spider solitaire, Klondike Solitaire is the most well-known solitaire game available in app stores today. Also known as Patience, Klondike Solitaire is one of the easiest variations to learn but challenging to master.
The game’s object is to arrange all the cards into the foundation piles, beginning with Aces and ending with Kings. Because of its sheer popularity, hundreds of Klondike Solitaire games and web applications exist.
Even Google has its own Klondike Solitaire web application. You need only a phone or computer and stable internet to play online.
2. Spider Solitaire
If there is any version of solitaire that many consider more popular than Klondike, it is Spider Solitaire. Unlike Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire typically uses two decks of standard 52 playing cards.
Like Klondike, the game’s objective is to move all cards into foundation piles from Aces to Kings. Because the player has more cards, Spider Solitaire is often more challenging than Klondike.
Due to its massive popularity with casual and hardcore players, many applications and websites allow you to play Spider Solitaire online.
3. FreeCell
FreeCell Solitaire shares some similarities with Klondike Solitaire while having a few key differences. The most apparent difference in FreeCell is that all cards must be dealt face-up, allowing the player to see all the cards at the start.
This rule in FreeCell provides the player with more information and makes it easier for them to plan their strategy.
Like Klondike Solitaire, the objective in FreeCell Solitaire is to arrange all the cards in foundation piles from Aces to Kings. The player may only move cards to the four tableau piles in the game’s center or the foundation piles.
There are many ways to play FreeCell Solitaire online, such as Eight Off, Baker’s Game, and Two-Deck FreeCell.
4. Pyramid Solitaire
If you are looking for a real challenge in solitaire games, Pyramid Solitaire is the game for you. The average win rate for solitaire games is about 80 percent. However, the average win rate for Pyramid solitaire ranges from 0.5 to 5.5 percent, making Pyramid Solitaire one of the most difficult solitaire game variations.
The initial setup for Pyramid Solitaire requires a standard deck of 52 playing cards. As the name implies, the arrangement of the cards is in the shape of a pyramid, with every row having a single card more than the row above it.
In this version of solitaire, you need to remove all cards from the pyramid by matching card pairs that equal 13. Pyramid Solitaire is tricky because not all card pairs will add up to 13, so you must strategize your moves and plan every step to win.
Because of its difficulty, many players online play Pyramid Solitaire to see if they can be victorious despite the staggeringly low win rate.
5. Golf Solitaire
Golf Solitaire is one of the more unique solitaire games that are also known as Polish Golf or Pro Golf. The goal of Golf Solitaire is to remove all the cards from the tableau by placing them into the discard pile.
Players call it Golf Solitaire because the game’s objective is to get the lowest possible score, similar to how golf players win by having the fewest strokes possible. The game is popular online because it is one of the easiest solitaire grams to learn and does not take too much time to play.
Play Solitaire Anywhere, Anytime, in Any Variation
While the games mentioned on the list are arguably the most popular variations online, other more obscure solitaire games are also available. With technological advancements, solitaire has stood the test of time and can now be played anytime, anywhere, in any variation. You need only to check online whenever you need to pass the time or want to play.
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