A Complete Guide to Mastering Casino Solitaire

Introduction

Casino Solitaire, also known as Klondike in a casino setting, is a game that many of us might have played on our computers or phones especially when they came loaded up on old Windows. It’s a one-player card game that has found its way into casinos where you can play for rewards.

The game’s history goes back to the late 19th century, and it has been a popular pastime since. It’s believed to have originated in the Klondike region of Canada during the gold rush, which is why it’s sometimes called Klondike. The casino version is similar to the classic game but with some twists that make it more challenging.

There are few games in a casino that you can play solo other than Solitaire, Slots, or Pachinko, which I’ll write guides on separately. But if you’re looking for casino games with no involvement from other players, you might want to check out Caribbean Stud Poker, which I’ve also written a guide on.

Rules for playing Casino Solitaire

The objective is to move all the cards to four foundation piles, each starting with an Ace and ending with a King, with cards in ascending order and matching suit. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the layout consists of a tableau of seven piles, a deck or stockpile, and the foundation piles.

The rules are as follows:

1. Shuffle the deck and lay out seven cards in a row – the first card face up, the rest face down. Then, on top of the face-down cards, add another row of cards starting from the second pile, with the first card of this second row face up, and the rest face down. Continue this pattern until each pile has a face-up card.
2. You can move face-up cards around the tableau, building them in descending order and alternating colors.
3. If you uncover a face-down card, you can turn it over to reveal it.
4. You can place a King on an empty tableau space.
5. The stockpile can be used to add more cards to the game. You can flip cards from the stockpile to the waste pile, and from there, play them onto the tableau or foundation piles.
6. Once an Ace is available, you can start a foundation pile and then place cards of the same suit in ascending order on these piles.
7. The game ends when you have either moved all cards to the foundation piles or when no more moves are possible.

Equipment and Setup for Casino Solitaire

To play Casino Solitaire, you need a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The setup is simple:

1. Shuffle the deck thoroughly.
2. Deal the tableau as I described in the rules section.
3. Place the remaining cards face down to form the stockpile.

How to Play Casino Solitaire

Playing Casino Solitaire involves a few key mechanics:

• Setup: Prepare the game as outlined in the Equipment and Setup section.
• Gameplay: Move cards within the tableau, turn over hidden cards, use the stockpile, and build the foundation piles.
• End of the Game: The game ends when all cards are in the foundation piles or no more moves are possible.

Gameplay phases:

1. Reveal and Play: Turn over any face-down cards when possible and play any available cards to the tableau or foundation piles.
2. Stockpile and Waste: Draw cards from the stockpile and use them to play or move to the waste pile for later use.
3. Reorganize: Rearrange the tableau to uncover hidden cards and create new playing opportunities.
4. Build Foundations: Move cards to the foundation piles in the correct order and suit.

How to Win at Casino Solitaire

Winning at Casino Solitaire requires a mix of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. The odds of winning a game can vary, but some sources estimate the chance of winning a standard game of solitaire to be between 70% to 80% with optimal play. The house edge in a casino setting can be quite high, so it’s important to play smart.

To increase your chances of winning:

1. Focus on revealing hidden cards.
2. Always move an Ace or Deuce to the foundation piles as soon as possible.
3. Try to keep tableau piles balanced in terms of length.
4. Be strategic about using the stockpile; don’t rush to move every playable card.

You can always practice Solitaire offline pretty easily. I’ve linked a good site below under External Links.

Best Strategies for playing Casino Solitaire

Here are some strategies to help you win at Casino Solitaire:

1. Plan ahead and consider the consequences of each move.
2. Expose hidden cards whenever possible to increase your options.
3. Use empty tableau spaces to your advantage, especially for organizing longer sequences.
4. Don’t automatically play cards to the foundation; sometimes it’s better to wait.

Variations

There are many variations of Solitaire, and some can be found in casinos as well. These can include games like Spider Solitaire, where you work with ten piles and need to create descending sequences in the same suit, or FreeCell, which includes open cells that can be used to temporarily store cards.

Scenarios

Here are some scenarios you might encounter:

• Good Scenario: You have multiple moves available. Use this opportunity to uncover hidden cards and build foundation piles.
• Bad Scenario: You’re stuck with no moves. In this case, carefully consider your options with the stockpile, or if all else fails, start a new game.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Casino Solitaire

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q: Can I move cards off the foundation piles?
A: In most versions of Casino Solitaire, once a card is placed on a foundation pile, it cannot be moved back to the tableau.

Q: What happens if I go through the stockpile and still can’t make a move?
A: You can go through the stockpile again, but if you still can’t make a move, the game is over.

Q: Are there any penalties for taking back a move?
A: In a casual setting, you can take back moves, but in a casino, this is generally not allowed.

External Links

Solitaire History | Las Vegas Casino & Hotels

Play Casino Solitaire / Klondike online (free, no registration, no download)