Yes, there is a great deal of skill involved in Solitaire. While the game itself does rely on luck and chance a lot, it’s what you do with the draw that matters. Of course, it’s not always possible to win if you’re unlucky, but a player who knows the right moves at the right time will be able to pull through an otherwise tricky situation.
Is there any difference between Solitaire and Patience?No, these terms typically refer to the same kind of single-player card games. Solitaire is used in North America while Patience is usually used in the UK and Europe. They’re often used interchangeably.
How many types of Solitaire are there?There are so many different types of Solitaire, and variations of those individual types too, that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many there are. However, 247 Solitaire offers eight different varieties: 1 Card Klondike, 3 Card Klondike, Freecell, Spider Solitaire, 2 Suit Spider, 4 Suit Spider, Scorpion, Wasp, and Yukon. That’s a lot of Solitaire!
How many decks are used in different versions of Solitaire?Some versions of Solitaire, like Klondike, use a single standard 52-card deck. Others, like Spider, involve two sets of decks. Make sure you read the rules of the version you’re playing to see how many decks are needed.
Is there a difference between Solitaire and Klondike?Solitaire is a broad category of single-player card games, and Klondike is a specific version of Solitaire. However, in the United States and Canada, the term “Solitaire” is simply used for Klondike, as it's the most well-known version of the game in those areas.
What’s the history of Solitaire?Solitaire has a long, storied history. It was introduced to the world in Baltic Europe, and then rose to popularity as a solo card game in the mid-18th century in places like Russia, Germany, France, and England. It was a simple card game that anyone could play; because of that, Solitaire was used as a way to teach new users of the PC how to interact with a computer interface and mouse controls. Interesting, right? Check out our deep dive into the history of Solitaire.
Do you have to have experience to win at Solitaire?Absolutely not! It’s a really simple game to learn and play. However, it does usually take a few hands to understand all the mechanics and strategies at play. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not able to finish games as a beginner—practice makes perfect!