You’ve probably had those Solitaire games where everything seems to be going perfectly—until suddenly there are no useful moves left.
You stare at the tableau, move a few cards around, and eventually realize you’ve painted yourself into a corner.
The secret to playing better Solitaire isn’t always finding the obvious move.
Sometimes, it’s knowing which move to avoid.
One of the most useful habits in classic Klondike Solitaire is to prioritize moves that reveal hidden cards rather than simply moving cards because the move is available.
Why Revealing Hidden Cards Matters
In Klondike Solitaire, several cards begin face down in the tableau.
Those hidden cards are potential resources, but you can’t use them until they’re revealed.
That means a move that uncovers a face-down card can often create more possibilities than a move that simply rearranges cards you can already see.
For example, imagine you have two legal moves:
- Move a visible sequence to another column.
- Move a card that exposes a face-down card underneath it.
Both moves may be legal, but they don’t necessarily have the same strategic value.
The second move gives you new information and potentially another playable card.
Don’t Automatically Move a Card to the Foundation
This is another common trap.
Moving cards to the foundation feels like progress—and ultimately you need to build all four foundations—but immediately sending every available card there isn’t always the best choice.
A card in the tableau can sometimes help you build sequences or uncover hidden cards.
Before moving a card to the foundation, ask:
Does moving this card help me unlock something else?
If the answer is no, there may be a more useful move available.
Look for Moves That Create Empty Columns
Empty tableau columns can be extremely valuable because they allow you to move a King into the empty space.
That can expose cards underneath an existing sequence and give you more flexibility.
However, creating an empty column isn’t automatically good.
Before clearing a column, consider whether you actually have a King—or a useful sequence headed by a King—to place there.
An empty space without a plan isn’t necessarily progress.
Think One Move Further
A legal move isn’t automatically a good move.
Before making a move, take a few seconds to consider what happens afterward.
Ask yourself:
- What card will I expose?
- What cards will become available?
- Will I block another column?
- Am I giving up a useful sequence?
- Does this move create a new opportunity?
This small pause can prevent many unnecessary dead ends.
The Hidden Power of Alternating Colors
In the tableau, cards are built downward in alternating colors.
That means a black 8 can accept a red 7, while a red 8 can accept a black 7.
When deciding between several moves, don’t only look at what you can move now.
Think about which colors and ranks you’re likely to need next.
A move that preserves flexibility can be more useful than one that creates a longer-looking sequence.
Don’t Empty a Column Just Because You Can
An empty column can look tempting.
But clearing a column can sometimes remove a useful place for cards while leaving you with no King to fill it.
Before creating an empty space, check the cards available in your hand, tableau, and waste pile.
If a King is ready to move into the space, clearing the column may be much more useful.
Use the Waste Pile Carefully
The waste pile can contain exactly the card you need—but getting to it may require working through several other cards first.
Avoid making moves that unnecessarily limit your ability to access the waste pile.
Depending on the version of Solitaire you’re playing, the rules for drawing from the stock can make planning even more important.
The “Obvious” Move Isn’t Always the Best Move
Suppose you can make two moves.
One immediately places a card where it belongs.
The other reveals a hidden card.
The first move may look more productive because you’re making visible progress.
But the second move could open several new possibilities.
That’s why experienced players often think in terms of options, not just immediate progress.
The more useful choices you preserve, the more opportunities you’ll have later.
A Simple Priority List
When several moves are available, consider this general order:
1. Reveal hidden cards.
Uncovering face-down cards can expand your available options.
2. Create useful empty columns.
Especially when you have a King or King-led sequence ready.
3. Build tableau sequences.
Look for moves that organize cards while preserving flexibility.
4. Advance foundation cards when appropriate.
Move cards toward the foundations when doing so doesn’t unnecessarily restrict your tableau.
5. Avoid unnecessary rearranging.
If a move doesn’t reveal anything, create flexibility, or advance a meaningful goal, it may be worth waiting.
This isn’t a rigid rulebook. Different layouts can require different decisions.
The Real Secret: Think About What You Unlock
The best Solitaire move isn’t necessarily the one that looks most impressive.
It’s often the move that gives you access to something you couldn’t reach before.
A face-down card becomes visible.
A blocked sequence becomes movable.
An empty column becomes available.
A buried card finally reaches the waste pile.
That’s the real value of a strong move: it creates options.
The Bottom Line
The next time you play Solitaire, don’t ask only:
“What moves can I make?”
Ask:
“Which move gives me the most useful options afterward?”
Prioritize moves that reveal hidden cards, preserve flexibility, and create meaningful opportunities.
You won’t win every game—Solitaire layouts and rules can make some games unwinnable—but you’ll make more deliberate decisions instead of simply taking the first legal move you see.
And that one change can completely alter the way you play.
