Klondike Scoring: How Points Work in Standard Play
In Turn 1 and Turn 3 the game keeps a running score. It rewards progress and charges a little for going backwards. Here are the values Solitaire Play uses and what they mean for how you play.
Points for each move
| Move | Points |
|---|---|
| A card to a foundation | +10 |
| Turning a face-down card over | +5 |
| A waste card to the tableau | +5 |
| A foundation card back to the tableau | -15 |
| Turning the waste over again (Turn 1) | -100 |
| Turning the waste over again (Turn 3) | -20 |
The score never drops below zero.
What the scoring teaches
Turning a face-down card over is worth half as much as a card on a foundation, which fits the main strategy: reveal hidden cards first. The penalty for taking a card back is a reminder that sending a card up too early can cost you later. The penalty for going through the stock again is much larger in Turn 1 than in Turn 3.
Vegas mode uses a different system, explained in What is Vegas scoring? Tactics are in the Klondike strategy guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is a card on the foundation worth?
Ten points. Turning a face-down card over or moving a waste card to the tableau gives five.
Can my Klondike score go negative?
No. In standard play the score stops at zero. Only Vegas, which starts from a buy-in, can finish below zero.
Is the standard score the same in Turn 1 and Turn 3?
Almost. Every value is the same except the penalty for turning the waste over again, which is larger in Turn 1.