The Rules of the Game
Zen Solitaire follows the classic Klondike (Draw 1) rules. Your objective is to move all 52 cards into the four Foundation piles, organized by suit from Ace to King.
The Tableau
- Cards must be stacked in alternating colors (Red on Black, Black on Red).
- Cards must be in descending order (e.g., a Red 7 on a Black 8).
- Only a King can be placed in an empty Tableau column.
- Face-down cards are revealed automatically when the card above them is moved.
The Foundations
- Piles are built by suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades).
- Cards must be in ascending order, starting with the Ace and ending with the King.
- An empty Foundation slot can only accept an Ace.
Stock & Waste
- Tap the Stock pile to draw one card into the Waste pile.
- When the Stock is empty, tap the recycle icon to return the Waste cards to the Stock.
- Only the top card of the Waste pile can be moved to the Tableau or Foundations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I move this card to the Foundation?
Foundations require the exact same suit and the next card in sequence. If the top card is a Heart 3, you must place a Heart 4 next. Even if you have a Diamond 4, it will be rejected.
Why are empty columns restricted to Kings?
This is a fundamental rule of Klondike. It adds a layer of strategy, requiring you to carefully plan when to clear a column and which King to place there.
Is every game winnable?
While most Klondike games are solvable, our seed-based generation system is designed to prioritize solvability. If you find yourself stuck, try replaying the same seed with a different strategy.