Best Card Games to Play Alone

Why Play Card Games Solo?

Card games are not just for groups. Single-player card games have been a popular pastime for centuries, offering a quiet way to relax, sharpen your mind, and pass the time. Whether you are waiting for a friend, winding down after work, or looking for a screen break, a solo card game is the perfect companion.

Here are the best card games you can play by yourself, ranked by popularity and accessibility.

1. Klondike Solitaire

The classic. When most people say "Solitaire," they mean Klondike. Deal seven tableau columns, draw from the stock, and build four foundation piles from Ace to King by suit.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Win rate: About 25-30% for average players
• Best for: Everyone — it is the gold standard of solo card games
• Time per game: 5-15 minutes

Klondike strikes the perfect balance between luck and skill. The rules are simple enough to learn in minutes, but mastering the strategy takes much longer. Play Solitaire online to get started.

2. FreeCell

FreeCell is Solitaire's more strategic cousin. All 52 cards are dealt face-up into eight columns, and you get four "free cells" as temporary storage. Because every card is visible from the start, nearly every deal is winnable — it is purely a game of skill.

• Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
• Win rate: Over 99% (with perfect play)
• Best for: Players who prefer strategy over luck
• Time per game: 5-20 minutes

FreeCell is the perfect next step after Klondike. Play FreeCell online to experience pure card strategy.

3. Spider Solitaire

Spider uses two decks (104 cards) and is dealt into ten tableau columns. The goal is to build complete descending sequences of the same suit (K through A), which are then removed from the board. You can play with one suit (easy), two suits (medium), or all four suits (very hard).

• Difficulty: Easy to Very Hard (depending on suit count)
• Win rate: Varies widely by variant
• Best for: Players who want a longer, more complex challenge
• Time per game: 10-30 minutes

The one-suit version is a great starting point. Play Spider Solitaire online to try it.

4. Pyramid Solitaire

Cards are dealt in a pyramid shape of 28 cards (seven rows). Remove pairs of exposed cards that add up to 13 (e.g., a 6 and a 7, a Queen and an Ace). Kings are removed alone since they already equal 13.

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Win rate: About 1 in 20 for standard rules
• Best for: Quick games and mental math practice
• Time per game: 3-10 minutes

A refreshingly different solitaire mechanic. Play Pyramid Solitaire online to try it.

5. Golf Solitaire

Deal 35 cards into seven columns of five. The remaining 17 cards form the stock. Remove cards one at a time by playing cards that are one rank higher or lower than the top of the waste pile, regardless of suit. The goal is to clear the entire tableau.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Win rate: About 1 in 10
• Best for: Fast, casual play
• Time per game: 2-5 minutes

6. Canfield

Similar to Klondike but with a key twist: a 13-card reserve pile that feeds into the tableau. Only one card at a time can be moved from the reserve. The random foundation start card adds another layer of unpredictability.

• Difficulty: Hard
• Win rate: About 3% without undos
• Best for: Experienced Solitaire players looking for a challenge
• Time per game: 5-15 minutes

7. Clock Solitaire (Patience)

Deal all 52 cards face-down into 13 piles arranged like a clock face (12 piles around the edge, 1 in the center). Flip cards and place them at the corresponding clock position by rank. The game is won if all piles are turned face-up before the four Kings are revealed.

• Difficulty: Very Easy (no decisions)
• Win rate: About 1%
• Best for: Pure relaxation — no strategy required
• Time per game: 2-3 minutes

Choosing the Right Game

| If you want... | Play... | |---|---| | The classic experience | Klondike Solitaire | | Pure strategy, no luck | FreeCell | | A long, complex challenge | Spider Solitaire | | Quick mental exercise | Pyramid | | Fast casual fun | Golf Solitaire | | A tough test | Canfield | | Zero thinking | Clock Patience |

Further Reading

• Solitaire Rules: Complete Guide — master the rules of the most popular solo card game
• The History of Solitaire — from 18th-century parlors to Windows and beyond
• FreeCell Rules: Complete Guide — learn the rules of the most strategic solo card game
• Spider Solitaire Rules — complete rules for the two-deck solitaire classic

Play Online for Free

The easiest way to try any of these games is online — no shuffling, no cleanup, and unlimited replays. Start with Solitaire, try FreeCell for pure strategy, or take on the challenge of Spider Solitaire — all free, right in your browser.