PlaySoli / Knowledge library
Solitaire guides
Explore PlaySoli’s complete collection of sourced solitaire guides, including rules, strategy, history, Klondike, Spider and FreeCell articles.
PlaySoli knowledge library
Rules, strategy and history
Getting started
Learn the shared language, rules and decision-making ideas behind solitaire.
historyThe History of Solitaire: Evidence, Books and Digital GamesTrace solitaire from disputed eighteenth-century evidence through Moscow, French, British and American books to computer play—without turning legends into facts.
how toHow to Play Solitaire: A Complete Beginner’s GuideLearn how solitaire works, then follow exact PlaySoli rules for Klondike Draw 1, Draw 3, Spider and FreeCell with examples and first-game strategy.
glossarySolitaire Glossary: Card-Game Terms ExplainedA precise glossary of solitaire terms, from tableau, stock and waste to runs, redeals and FreeCell supermoves, with historical and PlaySoli usage notes.
rulesSolitaire Rules Explained: How Legal Moves WorkUnderstand solitaire rules as a system: components, legal moves, empty spaces, sequence movement, stock passes and computer-assisted actions across PlaySoli games.
strategySolitaire Strategy Guide: Better Decisions Across VariantsImprove at solitaire by managing information, mobility and irreversible choices, with separate practical guidance for Klondike, Spider and FreeCell.
analysisIs Solitaire Always Winnable? Solvability ExplainedLearn what “winnable” means in Klondike, Spider and FreeCell, why percentages depend on rules and information, and what a solver can actually prove.
historyThe History of Computer Solitaire: From PLATO to BrowsersFollow computer solitaire from PLATO FreeCell to Windows Solitaire, mouse training, Microsoft FreeCell, Spider in Plus! 98 and modern browser implementations.
faqSolitaire FAQ: Clear Answers to Common QuestionsAnswers to common solitaire questions about rules, winning, terminology, undo, redeals, empty columns, game choice and PlaySoli’s exact implementations.
Klondike
Rules, history and practical play for Draw 1 and Draw 3.
historyKlondike Solitaire History: Origins, Early Rules and EvidenceTrace Klondike from early printed “Seven-Card Klondike” rules and disputed gold-rush stories to Draw 1, Draw 3 and Windows Solitaire.
rulesKlondike Solitaire Rules: A Complete Playing GuideLearn the exact PlaySoli rules for Klondike Draw 1 and Draw 3, including setup, legal sequences, empty columns, foundations, waste access and unlimited redeals.
strategyKlondike Solitaire Strategy: Planning Stronger MovesPlan stronger Klondike moves by balancing hidden-card exposure, King lanes, foundation timing and stock access in both Draw 1 and Draw 3.
comparisonKlondike Draw 1 vs Draw 3: Rules and Strategic DifferencesCompare Klondike Draw 1 and Draw 3 on PlaySoli: stock access, difficulty, planning, waste order and which version fits a player’s goals.
troubleshootingCommon Klondike Solitaire Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemDiagnose the Klondike decisions that most often block progress, from premature foundation moves and wasted King lanes to Draw 3 access errors.
Spider
Build suited runs and understand the one-, two- and four-suit game.
historySpider Solitaire History: Origins, Early Rules and EvidenceInvestigate Spider Solitaire’s early printed evidence, the debated 1937 and 1949 dates, the uncertain name origin and its spread through Microsoft Plus! 98.
rulesSpider Solitaire Rules: A Complete Playing GuideLearn the exact PlaySoli Spider rules for one, two and four suits: two decks, ten columns, rank building, same-suit group moves, stock rows and completed runs.
strategySpider Solitaire Strategy: Planning Stronger MovesImprove Spider by balancing card exposure, same-suit structure, empty-column work and the timing of new stock rows across all suit levels.
comparisonSpider Solitaire: 1 Suit vs 2 Suits vs 4 SuitsCompare Spider One Suit, Two Suits and Four Suits by rule consistency, suit conflicts, planning load and the skills each level develops.
troubleshootingCommon Spider Solitaire Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemFix the Spider habits that create immovable mixed stacks, waste empty columns or make new rows harder than necessary.
FreeCell
Understand open information, movable sequences and the role of the free cells.
historyFreeCell History: Origins, Early Rules and EvidenceTrace FreeCell from related open-card games through Paul Alfille’s PLATO program, its uncertain paper lineage and Jim Horne’s Windows implementation.
rulesFreeCell Rules: A Complete Playing GuideLearn the exact PlaySoli FreeCell rules: all cards face up, eight columns, four free cells, alternating-color builds, foundations and workspace-limited group moves.
strategyFreeCell Strategy: Planning Stronger MovesPlan FreeCell by tracing low-card dependencies, keeping cells in circulation, creating empty columns and restoring borrowed workspace.
troubleshootingCommon FreeCell Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemCorrect the FreeCell habits that fill all cells, waste empty columns, strand partial sequences or advance foundations in the wrong order.
comparisonFreeCell vs Klondike: Rules, Information and StrategyCompare PlaySoli FreeCell and Klondike by layout, hidden information, empty-column rules, sequence movement, stock access and decision style.