How to Set Up Solitaire (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you have a physical deck in front of you and are wondering about solitaire how to set up the board, you are in the right place. Setting up Classic Solitaire (Klondike) is simple once you understand the pattern. Let’s walk through exactly how to deal the cards so you can start playing.

1. The Cards in Playing Cards

Before we build the board, let's confirm you have the right materials. Understanding the cards in playing cards is crucial. You will need a standard 52-card French-suited deck. This includes four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades) ranking from Ace (low) up to King (high). Important: Remove the Jokers—they are not used in traditional Solitaire!

2. How to Set Up a Game of Solitaire (The Tableau)

The main playing area is called the Tableau. It consists of 7 columns of cards. Here is how to deal them left to right:

• Column 1: Deal 1 card face-up.
• Column 2: Deal 1 card face-down, then 1 card face-up on top of it.
• Column 3: Deal 2 cards face-down, then 1 face-up.
• Column 4: Deal 3 cards face-down, then 1 face-up.
• Column 5: Deal 4 cards face-down, then 1 face-up.
• Column 6: Deal 5 cards face-down, then 1 face-up.
• Column 7: Deal 6 cards face-down, then 1 face-up.

When you finish your solitaire set up, you should have 7 columns. The first column has one card, and the last has seven cards. The top card of every pile must always be facing up.

3. The Stock and Waste Piles

After building the Tableau, you will have 24 cards remaining in your hand. Place this stack face-down in the top-left corner of your playing area. This is your Stock pile.

When you learn play solitaire how to basics, you'll know that you flip either one or three cards at a time from this Stock pile into a face-up Waste pile right next to it, using these cards to make moves on your board.

4. The Foundation Piles

Leave empty space at the top-right of your playing area above the Tableau. This area is reserved for your four Foundation piles. As you play, you will move your Aces here first, and build upward in matching suits until you reach the Kings to win the game.