Did you know that the game usually called Solitaire is also sometimes called Patience? This and many other interesting facts may not seem like much when you’re actually playing the game, whether it’s Klondike Solitaire or some of its variants like Spider Solitaire. However, it’s interesting to research all of these topics if you enjoy the game or simply want to learn more about it.
Solitaire Frequently Asked Questions – Answered
How many cards are there in Solitaire?
The ‘standard’ or Klondike (as it’s called) version of Solitaire is played with a single standard deck of cards with the Jokers removed, numbering 52 cards in total.
How many columns are there in Solitaire?
Klondike Solitaire is played on a tableau of 7 columns. Some other versions use a different number of columns; for instance, Spider is played on 10 columns, while Pyramid eschews columns entirely and is more focused on rows.
How many rows are there in Solitaire?
At most, Klondike Solitaire has 7 rows, with the leftmost starting with only one, while the rightmost column starts with 7 cards. Over the course of the game, the number of rows can grow and shrink as the cards move between the columns.
How do you score in Solitaire?
There isn’t a unified way to score a game of Solitaire. However, typically, you can score the game on time (ie, how long it takes to win), on the number of moves, or on the combination of the two.
Can you win every game of Solitaire?
In short, no, not all games of Solitaire are winnable. That is because the game’s setup can vary to such a degree that it’s possible to result in unwinnable configurations. On top of that, depending on your strategy, some games can offer a higher degree of win probability, but even that is never a guarantee of victory. In addition, different versions of Solitaire have different win rates, and even the simple use of 1 Turn and 3 Turn rules can greatly increase or decrease your odds of success.
How many Solitaire variants are there?
The most well-known and popular version of Solitaire is called Klondike. There are many other versions of the game, however. While there isn’t one agreed-upon number of variants, we can safely say that there are around 30 different games that can be qualified as Solitaire variants. You can read more about Solitaire variants here [insert link to Solitaire variants article].
Who invented Solitaire?
The identity of the person who invented Solitaire has been lost to history; however, it is believed that the game originated in 18th-century France, where it was known as Patience. The game was introduced as a pastime for bored, solitary aristocrats and has spread over time across the courts of Europe and beyond. Interestingly, there was a large number of books on Solitaire written and published in 19th-century Sweden, drawing some to question whether the Scandinavian country was the game’s point of origin.
