The most popular types of Solitaire games

Solitaire is usually mistakenly used to describe one particular type of game of cards known in the UK as Klondike or Patience in the UK. There are actually many kinds of Solitaire games. Klondike is the most played variation of the game. It was the first game to start the enormous popularity of these types of games following its incorporation into Microsoft's software in the late 1990s. But, a variety of variants are in the race to be the top version. The most popular varieties of Solitaire games have many in common in particular because they're designed to be played by just 1 player (thus the name Solitaire). However, their minor differences make them distinct and difficult by themselves. Klondike is the most played variant of Solitaire. This is the reason why when it's played by itself, the word "Solitaire" usually refers to the game. The origins of the game are a mystery but it is most likely to have been first introduced during the gold rush during the 19th century located in Klondike in Canada and from there the name "Solitaire" comes from. The ubiquity of the product can be traced to the introduction of the Microsoft's Windows 3.0 in 1990. Game-play Klondike utilizes 52 cards to play. The aim is to place them according to order of suit, starting with the Ace, and ending with the King. This is done on unoccupied areas known as foundations. The cards are dealt in seven piles on the table (the playing area). The cards are all facing down, with the exception of the top one of each pile. To reveal and access the cards on the bottom, players must build sequences, and then move them around the piles. The sequences on the table are constructed in the order of descending (from the King up through Ace) and in different colours. Only Kings can be moved to empty areas within the tableau. The remainder of the cards that were not placed in the piles are placed in a stock pile. These are able to be put into play to assist players create their sequences. While Klondike is by far the most played variant, Spider Solitaire takes the highest spot in the 2-deck varieties of Solitaire games. Its name is derived from the eight foundations which need to be constructed in order to be successful in the game, since spiders typically have eight legs. The odds of winning in a Solitaire Spider game are said to be about one in three games. Game-play Solitaire Spider uses two card decks. The difficulty levels vary depending on the deck it can be played using one or more suits. The table setting is usually identical to the Klondike and includes piles, a stock pile and foundations. However the cards are exposed , and only complete sequences are able to be sent to foundations. The aim is to create sequences of suits in the piles. This starts with the King, and ending at the Ace. The game is made more difficult when multiple suits are played. Tapping on the stock pile adds an additional card to each pile. Of the various types of Solitaire games, FreeCell Solitaire is the one that is reminiscent of Klondike (the normal variant) in the greatest way. But, it's thought to be a more strategic variant of Klondike, since the game requires more cautious and deliberate strategy. However, it is an example of Solitaire games that have the highest probability of solving. About 99% of games are considered to be solved. Game-play FreeCell's gameplay is like that of Klondike. It also has a single deck as well as the cards being divided in seven piles. The game is played as a Solitaire game however all cards are dealt and there isn't a Stock pile. Cards are also in front and visible to the player. The objective is to lay the foundations of the game by following matching. Sequences are constructed in the same way as Klondike by suit with ascending order within the foundations, and then in decreasing order using different colors in the piles of the table. The primary difference between them is, however, the existence of four blank spaces on the table which are the cells that are free. Cards may be put into these cells and put on hold, allowing the ones below. If a card has been placed in a cell that is free, it will only be brought in play once more to form a foundation sequence or pile. It cannot be exchanged cards.