In our recent history, computers preloaded with the game of solitaire began to appear in every household, classroom, and office. The electronic choice of card games was the game solitaire, which became popular because it’s easy to learn and play, and is always accessible. Klondike is simple, and can easily become addictive. When the novelty wore off the game, interest in it waned. People were bored with it, so different variations of the card game solitaire began to proliferate, and the most popular version was Klondike.

It’s ironic that people gravitated towards Klondike for a new game, because the card game has a documented history. According to historians, the game of Klondike began in the late 1900’s. The gold miners in the mountains of California and Alaska grew tired of the usual game of solitaire, and relieved their boredom by inventing a new version of an old game, called Klondike.

How to Play Klondike

It’s a simple game to learn and you’ll catch on immediately. It then will become an important amusement during any recreation time you have on your agenda. It’s invigorating and fun, and can become a harmless addiction. The first step is laying out the cards.

-Begin by drawing a card, and putting it in front of you, face up.

-Place six cards, face down, to the left of the first card.

-Put another card, face up, to the left of the original card.

-Add one more card, face down, on top (or slightly down), starting a column of sequential numbers and suits. Then, add one more card, face up, and continue to build the column.

-You should end up with the last column made up of seven cards. You should have in your hand, a total of 24 cards to play with.

Next Step

The object of the game is to eventually place all the cards of the same suit, in numerical sequence, on top of the four aces, which show up sporadically. When an ace appears, place it to the side or above the columns, and begin to build the sequences, in order, i.e. follow an ace with a two, then three, and so on, up to the kings, in numerical order and by suit. A sample would be if an ace of diamonds is open, it must be followed by the King of Diamonds, then the Queen, and so on down the numbers. When base cards, face down, can be turned over, you may alternate the colored suits, building a column of a sequence of red and black cards.

Opening a New Card

When you have cards that are facing up, you can open the next card under them. The same rule applied to usual solitaire is that whenever you have moved all the cards in a column, leaving a blank space, you may move a an open king over and start a new sequence.

Moving a Card to Build a Sequence

You can move one sequence of cards to another base, and the sole rule is that you must keep the cards in descending order.

Using the Card in Hand

Turn over the top three cards that are left in your hand, as they may be an addition, perhaps a winning addition. When all possibilities of using each card are exhausted, continue to turn over three cards at a time and keep in mind that you may use only the top card to continue a column, and if it is used, you may use the next card, if you can. Repeat this until you have no cards left. Want to play again?