Solitaire is, perhaps, one of the popular card games known to everyone. When it was first introduced with Microsoft’s Operating System, it became widely played and appreciated by people from all around the world. It was most popular among office workers because it relieves stress and exhaustion while also stimulating the mind. The initial plan was to teach people to learn the use of a mouse Which looked like the original plan. But look at how this simple strategy game evolved and became legendary.
So, without further ado, let us take a look at some of the popular versions of this mind-blowing classic card game.
- Klondike: This is actually the very first version of this game. Sometimes, people use Solitaire and Klondike interchangeably. This classic old version can be played and enjoyed by anyone, whether young or old. Since this was the first version that was launched, it gained widespread popularity.
Let us take a brief look at its gameplay.
Game-Play:
Klondike uses the whole deck of 52 cards. Its main goal is to arrange them by suit from Ace to King on empty spaces called the foundations. You have to deal the cards into 7 piles on the tableau. Try to put all the cards face-down, except for the first card on each pile. Then, when you want to access the bottom cards, you need to build sequences and then move them within piles. It’s time now that you build the sequences on the tableau in descending order—from King to Ace.
There are always enough cards on the stockpile that you can use later in the game.
- Spider Solitaire: This version is actually the most played version of the game. You are probably wondering why it is called a “spider” solitaire. Well, this is because since spiders have 8 legs, here, you have to build 8 foundations to win the game. Have a quick look at the gameplay.
Game-Play:
You can easily play the game using only 2 card decks. If you wish to increase the level of difficulty, then use one or more suits. The goal of this game is to build sequences within the piles from King to Ace. So, set your tableau like Klondike with piles and foundations and a stockpile. The rule here is that you have to expose all the cards and you can only send full sequences to the foundations. Try and use more than one suit to up your difficulty level. That way, this game gets more fun.
- FreeCell: Of all the different games, this version perhaps best resembles Klondike. But FreeCell is more strategic and needs your complete and careful approach. But don’t let that intimidate you. This version of the game has the highest chance of winning. Take a look at the gameplay, shall we?
Game-Play:
In this game, there aren’t any stockpiles since you deal with all the cards using one single deck. Once you are done dealing cards into 7 piles, you need to turn all the cards so that they are facing you. Do remember that your goal is to build foundations by suit. Then you have to build sequences in ascending order and alternating colors as you build them. It is called a free cell because it has 4 empty spaces on the tableau which are known as free cells. You can move your cards there to free your other cards at the bottom.
- Pyramid Solitaire: It is probably evident by the name of this game. This version gets its name from the pyramid shape that the dealt cards make on the tableau. It might seem easy to play, but winning this game can be a little challenging.
Game-Play:
Just like the name, you need to set all 28 cards on the tableau in the shape of a pyramid. Just remember that they are all facing you. You can only use those cards in the game that are not covered. Your main goal is to deconstruct the pyramid by pairing up cards whose total equals 13. Just make sure to draw only one card at a time from the stockpile to find a match for your card on the pyramid.
Camel Motion Inc. has launched their brand new version of the game called Solitaire^. It has already grabbed the attention of many considering its uniqueness. You can download it from the App Store.
Conclusion:
When you talk about digital gaming, Solitaire still holds the fortress. These different versions (and more) will keep boredom far away from you. You can always switch from one version to another whenever you feel like it. And trust me, they are very easy to master once you practice enough. So shuffle the deck and start playing.
