How do the foundations work in solitaire?
The foundations are the finish line of classic solitaire. Understanding how they fill is the key to knowing what you're actually working toward.
Building up by suit
You start each foundation with an Ace, then add cards of the same suit in ascending order: two on the Ace, three on the two, all the way to the King. There's one foundation per suit, so four in total. In Klondike and FreeCell, moving all 52 cards onto these piles is the whole objective, as our goal of solitaire answer covers.
When to send cards up
It's tempting to rush cards to the foundations, but that's often a mistake. A low card left on the tableau can be a useful landing spot for building sequences and unburying hidden cards. Good players hold cards back until sending them up clearly helps, a habit that lifts your win rate, as how to win at solitaire explains.
Games without traditional foundations
Related questions
What is the goal of solitaire?
In the most common games like Klondike and FreeCell, the goal is to move all 52 cards onto four foundation piles, each built up in suit from Ace to King. Other families win differently: Spider forms complete same-suit runs, while Pyramid and TriPeaks clear the board by matching cards away.
How do you play solitaire?
In the classic Klondike game, you deal seven tableau columns and build them down in alternating colors, while moving Aces up to four foundation piles and building each foundation up by suit to the King. Draw from the stock to find cards you need. Clear all 52 cards to the foundations to win.
How do you win at solitaire?
Win more often by uncovering face-down cards as early as possible, playing from the column with the most hidden cards, and not rushing every card to the foundations too soon. Empty a column to park a King, and always plan the whole sequence before drawing fresh cards from the stock.