There are literally hundreds of different varieties of the popular card game, Solitaire. With so many to choose from, it can be overwhelming when trying to learn the rules of the game or in selecting a version that will be available at a skill games site. However, just like you would do when learning the rules of a new online casino game hybrid, becoming familiar with the general layout and rules of the game is a good start for learning the different varieties of solitaire.

The most popular form of solitaire is called Klondike, and is a version that can be found at most casino gaming sites who also offer a skill gaming platform. Other popular versions include Free Cell, Spider, Lady Jane, Panic, Pyramid, Forty Thieves, Aces Up, Golf and Osmosis. Sounds like a selection of a casinos video slots doesn't it? And in many ways, it sort of is. Different slot machines generally operate by the same structure and common rules. The main differences between one another are their theme, betting structures, bonuses and entertainment value. Solitaire is similar, in that the core rules and structure for playing all the different varieties are generally the same. With differing themes comes certain variations in specific rules for each game.

That being said, if you start off by learning the most popular forms of Solitaire, like the aforementioned Klondike, Panic and Pyramid you can then more easily branch out and learn other varieties, if you have a desire to do so. Although most online casinos do not offer solitaire on their software platforms, there are several dedicated skill gaming sites out there, like GameAccount, where Solitaire can be played one-on-one or with several players at once for practice or real money. Take some time to first learn how to play by opening a practice account. Then, after you begin to implement some playing strategy, you will be ready to start playing with real stakes.

The following is a general breakdown of the rules of the structure of Solitaire and rules for the most popular version, Klondike. Sometimes mistakenly called Canfield, Chinaman, Demon, Fascination and Small Triangle, the core rules of Klondike are the same for the versions of solitaire you may find on the Web. Remember, the most common solitaire games found at online skill gaming sites accepting real money wagers are Pyramid, Panic (UK version) and Klondike:

General Rules and Structure for Solitaire are:

All Solitaire games use one or more standard 52-card decks. For the distribution of cards, those that are dealt face-up as part of a formatted array are called the tableau. All of the cards initially dealt at the beginning of a game makeup what is called the "layout". All remaining cards that are not dealt into the layout are put to the side, forming the "stock". This is where additional cards are drawn, corresponding to the specific rules of each solitaire game. Those cards that are drawn from the stock, but which cannot be added to the tableau - thus being useless - are set in a face-up pile to the side, called the waste pile, or, "talon". The initial layout can be altered by transferring face-up tableau cards, which is referred to as "building". The objective of any game of solitaire is to release the base cards, which in most games, are the Aces - referred to as the "foundations". The idea is to build up the foundations, beginning with the Ace at the very bottom of the stack. All cards must then be stacked in suited and sequential order on top of each corresponding Ace foundation. Ultimately, the game is won when the entire pack of cards is properly stacked in this fashion. The sequential card order from smallest to largest is Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.

The Rules for Klondike Solitaire:

When playing Klondike Solitaire, twenty-eight cards from a single 52-card deck are dealt to form the tableau and layout. Seven piles total should be dealt out, with each pile containing one more card than the next. To create the tableau, begin by dealing seven cards from left to right. The first pile to the far left should consist of a single face-up card, while all other cards forming the remaining six stacks will be facedown. Next deal six cards beginning with the second pile, stacking cards from top to bottom. Again, the first card will be face-up and the remaining five will be facedown. After this step, you should have seven stacks of cards, with the first stack consisting of a single face-up card, the second stack consisting of a face-up card and a face down card, and all remaining stacks consisting of two facedown cards each. Repeat this step again, beginning with the third stack and so on, until you have dealt 28 cards. The final tableau should have one card in stack #1, two cards in stack #2, three cards in stack #3, four cards in stack #4, five cards in stack #5, six cards in stack #6 and seven cards in stack #7, with the bottommost card of each stack being face-up.

Building the Foundations:

When the tableau is built, the player must begin building the foundations with the Aces. If there is a face-up Ace already on the tableau, it is moved above the tableau and will serve as one of the four foundations. In order to build the foundations, the next sequential card of opposite color from one of the seven stacks can be moved to the foundation. In other words, if one of the foundations has an Ace of Spades (black), the next card that can be stacked on top of it must either be a Two of Hearts or Diamonds (red cards). The next card that could be placed on this same foundation would have to be either a Three of Spades or Clubs. As soon as a face-up card from the tableau is used, the next facedown card in the same stack can be turned over and is eligible to be used to build the foundations. If there are sequences of face-up cards that can be used to build the foundations, the cards are moved as a single unit. In other words, if there is a two of Diamonds, three of Spades and four of Diamonds, these must all be moved at once to a foundation containing an Ace of Spades or Clubs (Remember, the two of Diamonds is a red card and so must be built onto a black card).

Using the Stock Pile:

If none of the four foundations can be built up in proper order from any of the face-up tableau cards, the player will flip over three cards from the stock pile, only revealing the topmost card. If this card can be used, then the next card from the stock can be used and so on. If the topmost revealed card of the stock pile cannot be used, then all remaining face up cards must be placed in the waste pile as a single face-up stack. When all the cards of the stock pile have been exhausted, the waste pile is turned over facedown and used as the stock pile once again. This process is repeated until no more of the stock cards can be used to build the foundations. At this point, all moves have been exhausted and the game is lost. However, if the foundations can be continually stacked using tableau cards and stock cards, the game is still alive. It is won, when all four foundations have been built from Ace to King, using all the cards of the deck.