Playing cards has been the go-to way to kill time for centuries (since the 14th century, to be precise). And Solitaire is one of the best games known for being an entertaining way to pass the time when you're alone.
If you've found yourself taking an interest in the game, we walk you through what the Solitaire game is and help you learn how to play Solitaire below.
Solitaire is a loose term for the hundreds of card games that involve a single player. So, the word "Solitaire" comes from "solitary." Solitaire games involve arranging a shuffled deck of cards into a specific order.
Though the exact origin of these games is not known, the first documented reference to the term "Solitaire" dates back to the 17th century.
The word was found on an engraving that mentioned Princess Soubise and Anne-Joulie de Rohan-Chabot playing Solitaire. But in this context, the word referred to another game that involved using pegs rather than cards.
Interestingly, the game is thought to originate from tarot – an early form of fortune telling. The similarity between how we lay cards onto the table in the game of Solitaire and tarot might now seem uncanny.
This theory is also supported by the alternative term for Solitaire – "cabale" – which originates from the Medieval Latin term "caballa," which means secret knowledge.
Using a card deck is a great way to play the game.
But if you're on the move and aren't carrying a deck, several free Solitaire games are available online and a Google search away. You can play Solitaire online at or by Googling "solitaire online."
Regardless, to enjoy the game online, whether you're playing Klondike Solitaire or the free cell Solitaire game, you will first need to learn the rules.
Learning to play free online Solitaire begins by understanding the different piles available in the game.
The stock pile contains facedown cards, and this pile is placed on the upper left. There's another pile next to this one called the "waste pile." It's placed to the right of the stock pile.
Then come to the foundation piles, which are conventionally placed at a bit of distance to the right of the waste pile. These are where the suits are arranged in the specified order, typically starting with the Ace.
Finally, we have the tableau columns that form the main table. These columns are numbered one to seven, with the first one having one card, the second having two, and so on.
The cards in the tableau piles that are on the bottom are turned face up, and the remaining cards are placed face down. The cards in a shuffled deck are first arranged in the tableau in this way.
The cards that remain in the deck are placed in the stock, facing down, and the other piles are empty at the beginning of the game.
The objective is to move all the cards from the tableaus to the foundation piles. The foundations are ordered by suit and rank.
You can:
Whether you're playing the game on Solitaire free cell world, free cell solitaire 247, or any other site, you will need some Solitaire strategy to win the game consistently. But regardless, those who play the free cell solitaire card game know that is the site to play free cell solitaire 247.
Here are some tips that help you beat Solitaire faster:
New players often think using the stock pile is the best move to make. However, using the stock pile too soon will likely lead to a situation where you can't make any more moves.
You should use the stock pile only if no moves are left on the tableau. This makes a lot more sense when you take your attention off the idea of having options in the stock pile to the fact that the game's goal is to turn over all the cards in the tableau as fast as possible.
One of the best things about playing Solitaire online is that you have an undo button. The game keeps track of your moves and allows you to go back a few steps. This feature essentially makes it possible for you to beat every game you play.
If you stack too many cards in just one of the piles, you are inviting problems when you get around to playing the lower cards.
Remember that the Kings are the final cards you need to use in Solitaire. So, these cards inevitably get in your way. For this reason, it's best to attempt to empty piles as soon as possible and move the Kings into the empty tableau columns. Doing this also allows you to put the Jack and Queen cards in the right place.
The faster you can get the Kings, Queens, and Jacks in the right places, the faster you can beat the game.