Why Can't I Win Solitaire?
If you lose most of your Klondike games, you're not doing anything strange. Here's what's going on.
Some deals simply can't be won
In Klondike, some shuffles leave a key card buried under cards that can never move. No sequence of moves will free it. This is more common in Draw 3, where many stock cards are only reachable at certain moments.
Many lost games were winnable
On the other hand, a large share of lost games could have been won with different choices: a different King in the empty column, or not sending a card to the foundation too early.
What raises your win rate
- Draw 1 instead of Draw 3.
- Prioritising moves that turn over hidden cards.
- Thinking before using the stock.
- Using undo to learn which decisions mattered.
Want a game where skill decides?
Try FreeCell: all cards are visible and almost every deal can be won.
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FAQ
Is Solitaire mostly luck?
It's a mix. Some deals can't be won, but good decisions win many games that careless play would lose.
Which solitaire can almost always be won?
FreeCell: all but one of the classic 32,000 numbered deals can be solved.