Klondike Solitaire Rules
What Does "Building Down" Mean in Solitaire?
"Building down" means placing cards in descending rank order from King to Ace in the tableau columns. The colour must alternate with each card placed. This is the foundation of all tableau management in Turn 1 and Turn 3 Solitaire.
The Complete Rule
A valid build-down sequence follows two rules simultaneously:
- Descending rank: Each card placed must be one rank lower than the card it lands on. A 7 on an 8, a Jack on a Queen, etc.
- Alternating colour: Red cards must land on black cards, and black cards on red cards. Suit does not matter - only colour.
A valid sequence example: Black King ? Red Queen ? Black Jack ? Red 10 ? Black 9 ? Red 8 ? Black 7 ? Red 6 ? Black 5 ? Red 4 ? Black 3 ? Red 2 ? Black Ace
Why "Down" and Not "Up"?
The tableau builds down because the foundation builds up. Foundation piles ascend from Ace to King within each suit. The tableau descends to create organised temporary storage, which you then "unwind" to the foundation as suits become available.
See building down in action
Play Klondike Solitaire - Free, Instant
Every legal move is highlighted. Illegal builds are blocked automatically.
Building Down With Multiple Cards
In Klondike, you can move an entire face-up sequence from one column to another in a single move, as long as the bottom card of the sequence follows the build-down rule on the target column. This is called moving a "partial stack" and is one of the most powerful moves in the game.
Common Build-Down Mistakes
- Placing a red card on a red card (colour mismatch)
- Placing a card of the same rank rather than one lower
- Forgetting that suit does not matter - only colour and rank
- Trying to build down on a face-down card