Why Is a Visible Klondike Waste Card Not Playable?

A visible waste card may still be covered. The waste is one stack, and only its top card is available for play. Fanning the cards helps you remember their order; it does not turn them into separate choices.

If a Draw 3 packet appears as 6♥, J♣, 3♠ with 3♠ on top, only 3♠ is playable. Move 3♠ and J♣ becomes available; move J♣ and 6♥ becomes available.

Why clicking the lower card fails

Klondike uses physical stack access. A lower waste card cannot pass through the cards above it, just as an interior tableau card cannot be removed while a tail remains below it.

This remains true when the lower card has an obvious destination. A visible A♥ cannot start its foundation while Q♣ still lies on top of it.

How to reach the card

First look for legal moves for the cards above the target. In the example, 3♠ might go onto 4♦ or to the spade foundation. J♣ might then go onto Q♥. Those two moves release 6♥ during the same packet.

If the covering cards cannot move, continue through the stock and try again on a later pass. In Draw 3, removing cards earlier in the stock can change packet alignment and make the target topmost next time.

When the card will remain blocked

If every pass returns the target under the same covering cards and none of those cards can move, the stock cycle is unchanged. Repeating the cycle will not create access. You need a tableau or foundation move that creates a destination, or a different removal earlier in the pass.

Access check

1. Identify the card at the actual top edge of the waste.
2. Ignore lower fanned cards until the cards above them leave.
3. In Draw 3, record the target’s position inside the packet.
4. Look for one earlier removal that changes the next pass.

Compare the displays in Play Klondike Draw 1 and Play Klondike Draw 3.

Sources used

• 1 PlaySoli implementation and editorial specification.
• 2 Current PlaySoli product rules: Solitaire Turn 1.
• 3 Current PlaySoli product rules: Solitaire Turn 3.