Which Solitaire Game Should You Play First?
There are 20 solitaire games on Solitaire Play, and they range from pure luck to pure planning. This page compares them on how much skill and luck each needs and how long a game takes, then suggests where to start.
How to read the table
The ratings are our own editorial judgement from the rules and from playing, not measured results. Skill is how much your decisions change the outcome. Luck is how much the shuffle, or the cards you cannot see, decides. Each runs from 0 to 5 dots. Length is the typical time for one game.
| Game | Skill | Luck | Length | Good first game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Medium | Yes |
| FreeCell | ●●●●● | ●○○○○ | Medium | No |
| Spider | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | Long | Yes |
| Pyramid | ●●○○○ | ●●●●○ | Short | Yes |
| TriPeaks | ●●○○○ | ●●●●○ | Short | Yes |
| Golf | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Short | Yes |
| Yukon | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | Medium | No |
| Double Klondike | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Long | No |
| Forty Thieves | ●●●●○ | ●●●●○ | Long | No |
| Eight Off | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ | Medium | No |
| Canfield | ●●●●○ | ●●●●○ | Medium | No |
| Scorpion | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ | Medium | No |
| Penguin | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ | Medium | No |
| Aces Up | ●●○○○ | ●●●●● | Short | No |
| Russian Solitaire | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | Medium | No |
| Alaska | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Medium | No |
| Baker's Dozen | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ | Short | No |
| Beleaguered Castle | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ | Medium | No |
| Clock | ○○○○○ | ●●●●● | Short | Yes |
| Spiderette | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Medium | Yes |
Where to start
If you want a relaxed first game, play Klondike with Turn 1, or TriPeaks for a short game with quick runs. If you want a game with no luck after the deal, play FreeCell. If you want a long, absorbing game, play Spider with 1 suit. If you want a quiet break with nothing to decide, play Clock.
When you want more of a challenge
Once you are comfortable, try a game with a stricter rule, such as Yukon, Eight Off or Penguin. Games such as Aces Up and Forty Thieves are among the hardest, and many of their deals cannot be won. Every game has a strategy guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which solitaire game is best for beginners?
Klondike with Turn 1 is the classic first game. TriPeaks and Spider with 1 suit are also easy to start with.
Which solitaire game has the least luck?
FreeCell. All the cards are face up, so after the deal the result depends on your planning.
Which solitaire game is pure luck?
Clock. Every move is forced by the card you turn over, so there is no skill involved.