Play Yukon Solitaire Online for Free

Yukon Solitaire is played with a single deck of 52 cards. At first glance, it looks similar to Klondike (the most common Solitaire), but there’s one big difference: Yukon does not use a stock pile. Instead, all the cards are laid out in seven columns at the start. Although some of these cards remain face down initially, you have immediate access to a much larger portion of the deck than in Klondike, leading to a more dynamic and strategic game.

Key Points

• Objective: Build four foundation piles (one for each suit) from Ace to King, just as in Klondike.
• Uniqueness: You can move any group of face-up cards within a tableau column—even if they aren’t in perfect descending order—provided the bottom card of the group can legally move onto the target card.

Because of these relaxed movement rules and the absence of a stock, Yukon provides more direct control over your fate than some other Solitaire variants. However, it can also be more challenging if the initial layout is tricky.

How to Play Yukon Solitaire

1. Initial Setup

   • Seven columns (tableau) are laid out from left to right.
   • Column 1 has 1 card, Column 2 has 6 cards, Column 3 has 7 cards, Column 4 has 8 cards, Column 5 has 9 cards, Column 6 has 10 cards, and Column 7 has 11 cards.
   • Typically, the top card in each column is face-up. Additional face-up cards are placed further down in certain columns (Yukon has multiple variations for which cards start face-up, but all versions have more face-up cards than standard Klondike).

2. Foundations

   • There are four foundation piles at the top (or sometimes along one side), initially empty.
   • You build these in ascending order by suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King.

3. Moving Cards in the Tableau

   • Cards in the tableau are built in descending order, alternating colors (e.g., a red 7 on a black 8).
   • You can pick up and move any face-up card and all cards below it (as a group) in a single move, even if the cards below are not in descending order. The legality of the move depends solely on the bottom card of the group.
   • When you expose face-down cards, they are turned face-up immediately and become playable.

4. Winning Condition

   • You win by moving all 52 cards into the four foundation piles, each sorted by suit from Ace to King.

Interesting Facts About Yukon Solitaire

1. Origins

   • “Yukon” takes its name from the famous Yukon territory in northwestern Canada—though the exact reason for the name choice is unclear. The game itself has been a staple of Solitaire collections for decades.

2. Greater Freedom of Movement

   • Unlike Klondike, there’s no stock to flip through gradually. Having most cards on the table from the start changes the nature of the puzzle dramatically.

3. Variations

   • Several variants exist—such as Russian Solitaire and Alaska—which share Yukon’s core movement mechanic but adjust the rules around how sequences are built (e.g., suit-specific builds).

4. More Complex Than Klondike

   • While you have greater freedom, the ability to move cards en masse requires forward-thinking and careful organization to avoid “locking” crucial cards behind immovable sequences.

5. Surprising Recoveries

   • It’s not uncommon to feel stuck at first, only to discover a chain reaction of moves that clears entire columns when you make the right move.

Tips and Tricks

1. Flip Face-Down Cards Early

   • Prioritize uncovering hidden cards. Each new card revealed can drastically alter your options and allow new sequences to form.

2. Track Important Cards

   • Keep an eye on Aces, low-value cards (like 2s and 3s), and high-value cards (like Kings), as they are key to building your foundations and rearranging sequences.

3. Plan Multi-Card Moves

   • Even if the cards beneath your target card aren’t in sequence, you can move them all together if the bottom card fits your destination column. Look for opportunities to relocate large stacks in a single move.

4. Free Up Tableau Columns

   • Empty columns give you a flexible space for repositioning large sequences. Strive to clear at least one column to maximize your maneuverability.

5. Use the Undo Feature (If Available)

   • Many online versions of Yukon include unlimited “undo” options. Don’t be afraid to backtrack and experiment, especially when exploring large group moves.

Strategies for Winning

1. Always Think Ahead

   • Because you can move partial columns, visualizing how a single action might unlock multiple future moves is crucial. Aim to set up chain reactions.

2. Expose Key Foundation Cards

   • Look for ways to free Aces and Twos first, as these must go to the foundations early. Being able to place them in the foundation also frees up your tableau.

3. Organize by Suit When Possible

   • While the tableau is built in alternating colors, keep suits in mind. Once you can move a card to the foundation, there’s often no reason to delay—unless it helps you uncover more face-down cards.

4. Maximize Empty Columns

   • If you have the chance to clear another column completely, take it. The extra freedom will help you shuffle large groups of cards around, which often exposes even more face-down cards.

5. Balance Risk and Reward

   • Moving big stacks around can either open up your game or temporarily block vital cards. If a large shift is reversible (or you have an undo option), try it; if not, weigh your options carefully.

Yukon Solitaire puts a strategic spin on classic Solitaire by laying most cards out on the table from the start and letting you move entire sub-stacks in one go. Although it may seem daunting at first, mastering the nuances of multi-card moves, freeing columns, and prioritizing key foundation cards can lead to exhilarating, cascading victories. Embrace its open-ended nature and discover a deeply rewarding spin on the traditional card game formula!

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