Triple Solitaire is a challenging variation of the classic Klondike solitaire played with three standard decks of cards shuffled together (156 cards in total) instead of one. This massive version of solitaire isn’t a multiplayer game (despite the name “triple”); it’s a single-player patience game that triples the cards, piles, and foundations for an extra layer of complexity and fun. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what Triple Solitaire is, provide a brief history of multi-deck solitaire variants, explain the rules and setup, walk through how to play step by step, and offer tips and strategies to improve your gameplay. You’ll also learn where you can play Triple Solitaire online – including a highlight of SolitaireX.io, which offers this game for free. Whether you’re looking to understand how to play Triple Solitaire or seeking advanced strategies, read on for a formal breakdown of this super-sized solitaire experience.
What is Triple Solitaire?
Triple Solitaire (also known as Triple Klondike Solitaire) is essentially the classic Klondike solitaire card game scaled up with three full decks combined. This means you’ll be dealing with 156 cards, as opposed to the 52 cards in a standard solitaire game. Because there are so many cards and opportunities, Triple Solitaire is often considered a longer but somewhat more forgiving version of solitaire – you have more moves available, which can make winning a bit easier in theory (though it requires more patience to play through). The objective, however, remains familiar: organize all the cards into foundation piles by suit and rank, ultimately sorting every card from Ace up to King.
In Triple Solitaire, everything from the number of tableau piles to the number of foundation piles is expanded. You will have 13 tableau columns to play with (instead of 7 in classic one-deck Klondike) and 12 foundation piles (instead of 4) because each of the four suits will have three corresponding foundation stacks to fill (one for each deck used). Aside from these larger numbers, the gameplay follows the classic solitaire mechanics: build sequences on the tableau in alternating colors, move cards to the foundations in ascending order by suit, and use a stock pile to draw cards when no other moves are available. Triple Solitaire takes a familiar game and supersizes it, offering a more complex puzzle for solitaire enthusiasts.
The History of Triple Solitaire and Multi-Deck Patience Games
Solitaire itself (also called “patience”) has a long history dating back to the late 18th century, with Klondike Solitaire becoming well-known in the 19th century. Over time, many variations of solitaire emerged, including those using more than one deck of cards. The idea of multi-deck solitaire games gained popularity in the mid-20th century – for example, the famous Spider Solitaire (a two-deck patience game) was introduced in 1949. Using multiple decks allowed for new game mechanics and greater challenges. Other classic two-deck solitaire games like Forty Thieves also became staples for players seeking variety. However, physically managing multiple decks in a manual game can be cumbersome, so multi-deck variants truly flourished with the advent of computerized solitaire in the late 20th century.
It was during the rise of computer solitaire that Triple Solitaire (the three-deck Klondike variant) came into existence as a formal game. Notably, Triple Klondike Solitaire was invented by Thomas Warfield, a well-known solitaire game designer and programmer. Warfield included Triple Solitaire (along with related variants like Double and Quadruple Klondike) in his solitaire collections, which helped standardize the rules and spread its popularity among digital solitaire enthusiasts. Since then, Triple Solitaire has been featured in many solitaire apps and websites as an advanced option for players who have mastered the single-deck game and want a bigger challenge. Interestingly, despite being more complex, the three-deck version often has a higher win probability than classic one-deck Klondike because the abundance of cards provides more possible moves – one solitaire software analysis even rates Triple Solitaire as “Very Easy (98%)” in terms of winning chances for skilled players. Today, Triple Solitaire stands as a testament to how the traditional game can evolve, offering a longer and strategically richer experience while still preserving the core solitaire gameplay we love.
##Triple Solitaire Rules and Gameplay
A typical initial layout for Triple Solitaire using three decks. There are 13 tableau piles (with only the top card of each pile face-up), a stock of remaining cards, and spaces for 12 foundation piles.
The rules of Triple Solitaire closely follow those of classic Klondike, with adjustments for the larger number of cards and piles. Below is a breakdown of the game’s setup, layout, and key gameplay rules:
Objective: Move all 156 cards onto the 12 foundation piles, building each foundation up in ascending order by suit from Ace through King. Completing all foundation piles (i.e. getting every card out of the tableau and stock onto foundations) wins the game.
Foundation Piles (12): These are the goal piles, three per suit (since we have three of each Ace through King). Each foundation pile can only contain one suit and is built ascending in sequence – starting with an Ace, then 2, 3, and so on up to King of that suit. In total you will have to fill twelve foundations (e.g. three separate piles for Spades Ace→King, three for Hearts, etc.). An empty foundation can only be started with an Ace.
Tableau Piles (13 columns): The tableau is the main playing area where you build down sequences. In Triple Solitaire, 13 columns of cards are dealt for the tableau. The first column gets 1 card, the second gets 2 cards, the third gets 3, and so on until the thirteenth column with 13 cards (this uses 91 cards total on the tableau). Within each column, only the top card is face-up at the start (all cards beneath are face-down). You can build down these tableau piles in descending rank order, alternating colors. For example, a black 5 can be placed on a red 6, a red Queen can be placed on a black King, etc.. You may move single cards or even a whole sequence of face-up cards from one tableau column to another, as long as the sequence follows descending order and alternating red/black colors. If a face-down card becomes exposed (with no card covering it), you flip it face-up, making it available for play. If a tableau column becomes completely empty (no cards), only a King (or a valid sequence starting with a King) may be moved to fill that space. This is analogous to the classic rule that only Kings can fill open slots in Klondike.
Stock and Waste Piles: After dealing the tableau, the remaining cards (156 total minus 91 on tableau = 65 cards) form the stock pile, which is placed face-down off to the side. You will use the stock to draw new cards into play. In many Triple Solitaire games, you draw cards from the stock three at a time (Turn-3 draw, which increases difficulty), placing them into a waste pile, with only the top waste card available to play. Some variations or settings allow drawing one at a time for an easier game. You can take the top card of the waste pile and play it either onto a tableau column (if it fits the descending alternate-color sequence) or directly to a foundation (if its rank and suit allow). If the stock is exhausted and no moves remain, you can typically recycle the waste pile back into the stock for another pass (most online versions grant unlimited redeals given the large number of cards). The game ends when either all cards are moved to the foundations (a win), or when no further moves are possible (a loss).
In summary, the rules of Triple Solitaire mirror classic solitaire rules: build sequences down by alternating color on the tableau, send cards to the foundation piles in order, and use the stock/waste to introduce new cards when stuck. The main differences are simply the scale of the game – more cards, more piles – and the necessity of managing three of each card rank and suit. The win condition is achieving twelve complete foundation stacks from Aces to Kings, thereby clearing all cards. It’s a lengthy endeavor, but very rewarding for solitaire fans who enjoy a deep, strategic challenge.
How to Play Triple Solitaire (Step-by-Step)
If you’re wondering how to play Triple Solitaire, the following step-by-step instructions will guide you through a typical game. This will assume you know basic solitaire terms; if not, refer to the rules above for definitions of tableau, foundation, etc. Follow these steps to play a game of Triple Solitaire:
Setup the Cards: Shuffle together three standard 52-card decks. Deal out the tableau columns in the pattern of 13 columns (column 1 has 1 card, column 2 has 2 cards, … column 13 has 13 cards). Only the top card of each column is face-up; the rest are face-down. Place the remaining undealt cards face-down as the stock pile. Also, clear space for 12 foundation piles above the tableau (all foundations start empty at this point).
Start Foundations with Aces: Scan the tableau for any Aces showing face-up. If you find a face-up Ace, move it to an empty foundation pile to start a foundation. As you move cards, if you expose any face-down cards in the tableau (i.e. there’s no card covering them now), flip those cards face-up; they are now available for play.
Build on the Tableau: On the tableau columns, continue moving cards to form descending sequences in alternating colors. For example, you can move a black 9 onto a red 10, or a red Jack onto a black Queen, and so forth. You can move individual cards or drag groups of sequential cards if they are already arranged in proper order. (For instance, if you have a column with ...-7♣-6♥-5♠ sequence face-up, you can pick up that whole sequence and move it onto a red 8♥ in another column, since the 7♣ can go on 8♥ and the rest follow.) Always aim to reveal hidden cards by freeing up face-down ones – this expands your options.
Fill Empty Columns with Kings: If you clear an entire tableau column (i.e., you moved all its cards elsewhere), that column becomes an empty space. Immediately, if you have any King available (either on tableau or from the waste), you can move a King into the empty column to occupy it (you may also move a sequence starting with a King). Only Kings can fill empty tableau columns, so don’t leave a column empty too long without a King ready to play, or you’ll have a dead space.
Draw from the Stock: Whenever you run out of immediate moves on the tableau, draw cards from the stock pile to the waste. Depending on the rules variant you’re using, flip three cards at a time from the stock to the waste (typical Turn-3 mode) or one card at a time (Turn-1 mode). Look at the top card of the waste pile and see if you can play it either onto a tableau pile (if it fits the descending sequence rule) or directly to a foundation (if it is the next needed card of its suit). Use the stock periodically to introduce new cards into play, especially when you have exhausted moves among the tableau columns.
Continue Building Foundations: As you uncover or draw more Aces, start new foundation piles. Continuously move cards to the foundations in ascending order whenever possible. For example, if you have an Ace of Clubs on a foundation and later draw a 2 of Clubs, move that 2♣ onto the Ace foundation. Foundations progress Ace → 2 → 3 ... up to King for each suit. Keep an eye on foundation opportunities – moving cards to the foundation frees up tableau space and is required to win, but be strategic: sometimes you might delay moving a card to foundation if it’s helping as a building card on the tableau. However, generally any time you can play a card to the foundation, you should do so, especially low cards like Aces and Twos.
Recycle the Stock (Redeal): If the stock pile runs out and you still haven’t won or exhausted all moves, you may typically gather the waste pile (once all stock cards have been turned) and flip it back over to form a new stock. Triple Solitaire usually allows unlimited redeals because of the large number of cards. This means you can cycle through the stock/waste as many times as needed until you either win or reach a standstill. Use this to your advantage to eventually find those last few moves.
Winning the Game: Keep repeating the above cycle – building on the tableau, moving cards to foundation, drawing from stock – until finally all cards are moved up to the foundations. If you succeed in stacking all 156 cards into the 12 Ace-to-King foundation piles, congratulations, you’ve won Triple Solitaire! The game is won when no cards remain in the tableau or stock because every card is neatly sorted into its foundation. If you reach a point where no legal moves are possible (and the stock is empty or only cycling uselessly), then the game is unwinnable and ends in a loss. Don’t be discouraged: Triple Solitaire has a high winning chance with good strategy, so shuffle up and try again.
By following these steps, you’ll get the hang of how to play Triple Solitaire. It involves careful planning and attention to many moving parts, but it’s very rewarding once you get into the flow of managing three decks at once.
Playing Triple Solitaire Online
One of the best ways to enjoy Triple Solitaire is to play it online. Digital versions of the game handle the setup and shuffling for you, making it much easier to jump in and play without dealing 156 cards by hand! Many online solitaire collections include Triple Solitaire (or “Triple Klondike”) as an option. These versions often let you choose between drawing 1 card or 3 cards from the stock, and they provide features like undos, hints, and even tracking of statistics or timed challenges.
If you want to play Triple Solitaire online, a convenient place to start is SolitaireX.io. The game is available to play free on SolitaireX.io with no downloads or sign-up required – you can just visit the site and start a new Triple Solitaire game in your web browser. On SolitaireX.io’s Triple Solitaire, you’ll find both Turn-1 and Turn-3 draw modes (so you can choose to draw one card at a time for a simpler game, or three at a time for the classic harder mode). The website also features options to adjust difficulty (through shuffling types) and keeps track of your wins, time, and moves. Playing online is a great way to practice because you can reset and deal new games quickly, and you won’t make mistakes in dealing or illegal moves – the software will enforce the rules (for example, it won’t let you place a card where it doesn’t belong).
Furthermore, online platforms sometimes offer leaderboards or daily challenges. This means you can challenge yourself to improve your Triple Solitaire win rates and compare your performance with others globally. Overall, trying Triple Solitaire on a site like SolitaireX.io is an excellent way to experience this three-deck solitaire variant firsthand. The convenience of online play lets you focus on strategy and enjoy the puzzle, rather than managing a mountain of cards on your table.
Tips and Strategies to Improve at Triple Solitaire
While Triple Solitaire can seem overwhelming due to the sheer number of cards, the right strategies will greatly improve your chances of winning. Here are some useful tips and tactics for Triple Solitaire gameplay:
Prioritize Flipping Face-Down Cards: Try to reveal face-down cards as early as possible. Every face-down card in the tableau is hiding information and potentially blocking cards you need. Focus on making moves that uncover hidden cards, especially in the larger columns (columns with many cards stacked). The sooner you flip them, the more options you’ll have.
Move Aces and Deuces to Foundations Immediately: In Triple Solitaire, as in any solitaire, getting the low cards (Aces and then 2s) to the foundation is key. Whenever an Ace becomes available, move it to an empty foundation without delay. This creates space in the tableau and allows you to start building up that suit. Similarly, place 2s onto Aces as soon as you can. These moves open up the game and rarely have a downside.
Build Foundations Evenly: Try to advance all the foundation piles somewhat evenly, rather than piling up one suit completely while others lag behind. The reason is that if you exhaust one suit’s cards to the foundation too quickly, you might deprive yourself of some alternate-color sequencing options in the tableau. For example, if all the black cards of low ranks are cleared away to foundations early, you may struggle to alternate colors while sorting the remaining red cards. So, move cards to foundation, but keep an eye on maintaining a balance between suits when possible.
Free Up Tableau Columns (But Use Caution): Clearing a tableau column (making it empty) is very powerful because it gives you a spot to place a King. Actively look for opportunities to empty out a pile, especially by moving sequences around. Once a column is empty, immediately fill it with a King or a king-led sequence if you have one ready, as this will maximize your moves. However, avoid vacating a column if you don’t have any King available to occupy it. Leaving an empty space without a King wastes a potential move and might block progress until a King appears. Thus, try to time your empty-column moves with the availability of Kings.
Use the Stock Waste Wisely: Each time you draw from the stock, scan the waste top card for any move. It’s often beneficial to cycle through the stock when you hit a dead end in the tableau, but be mindful of not rushing – if a useful card is buried second or third in the waste, you might need to play the top waste card somewhere (even if not an obvious move) just to access the card beneath. Remember that you have unlimited passes through the deck in most versions, so take your time and use each pass to strategically expose critical cards.
Plan Multiple Moves Ahead: With so many cards, Triple Solitaire rewards thinking ahead. Before making a move, consider how it will enable subsequent moves. For instance, moving a card might free a face-down card or open a space for a King – weigh those benefits. Similarly, decide if moving a card to a foundation is safe or if it’s prematurely removing a card that could have been used on the tableau. Always aim for moves that increase your options. If a move doesn’t directly or indirectly lead to revealing a new card or opening a space, consider if it’s the best choice or if another sequence could be moved first.
By applying these strategies, you’ll improve your efficiency and success rate in Triple Solitaire. Even though you have many more cards to manage, the fundamental tactics are similar to classic solitaire – just remember to stay organized and patient. Over time, you’ll develop an intuition for which moves to prioritize in the three-deck game. Winning might still be a challenge, but these tips tilt the odds in your favor.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Triple Solitaire
To wrap up our exploration, here are a few interesting facts and bits of trivia about Triple Solitaire and related solitaire games:
Origins and Inventor: Triple Solitaire as a distinct variant was popularized by digital solitaire collections. It’s credited as being invented by Thomas Warfield, the creator of the popular Pretty Good Solitaire software, who introduced a formal three-deck Klondike into his game suite. Warfield’s contributions helped define the rules that most Triple Solitaire games follow today.
Relation to Other Klondike Variants: If handling three decks sounds like too much or too little, know that there are also Double Klondike (two decks) and even Quadruple Klondike (four decks) versions out there. Double Klondike is sometimes known by the name “Gargantua” in older sources. These multi-deck games all share the same basic Klondike rules, merely adjusting the number of tableau piles and foundation piles (e.g. Double uses 9 tableau piles and 8 foundations, while Quadruple would use 17 tableau piles and 16 foundations, etc.). Triple Solitaire hits a sweet spot for many players as it significantly extends the game without becoming unwieldy.
Physical Play: Can Triple Solitaire be played with real cards? In theory, yes – you would need three decks of cards and a large enough table to lay out 13 piles. However, managing 156 cards manually is quite labor-intensive and prone to error. It’s rarely played as a physical card game for this reason. The digital format has truly made Triple Solitaire accessible and enjoyable. Computer versions also handle rules like the three-card stock draw and allow unlimited recycling without the need to reshuffle manually, which would be very tedious by hand.
Game Length and Difficulty: A game of Triple Solitaire can take considerably longer than a standard solitaire game due to the increased number of cards and moves. Don’t be surprised if a single game takes a significant amount of time to finish. As mentioned, the win rate is actually fairly high if played skillfully (close to 98% of deals are winnable according to one analysis), but it requires concentration to track the many sequences. In terms of difficulty, beginners might find it overwhelming at first, but the abundance of moves means that luck is less of a factor and careful strategy pays off well.
Variant Rules: There are a few rule variations of Triple Solitaire that some players have experimented with. For example, one published variant suggests removing all twelve Kings before play, leaving 144 cards, and then building foundations from Ace up to Queen only (with Queens filling empty columns instead of Kings). In that version, Kings are out of play entirely to create a different challenge. The more common variants, though, involve the draw mechanism (Turn-1 vs Turn-3) and how many redeals are allowed. It’s always good to clarify the specific rules of the version you are playing, especially when playing online (most will clearly state if it’s draw-1 or draw-3, etc.).
Triple Solitaire is a superb way for solitaire fans to test their skills on a grand scale. With three decks in play, the game offers triple the challenge and, for many, triple the fun. We’ve covered the rules, history, and strategies to get you started. All that’s left is to experience it for yourself. If you’re eager to try this epic solitaire variant, remember you can find it on SolitaireX.io and other solitaire sites to play Triple Solitaire online anytime. Good luck, and happy card stacking!