Klondike Solitaire Turn 3
Klondike Solitaire Turn 3, playing the Three Card Solitaire, is a more challenging game variant of the classic Klondike spider Solitaire game. The main difference is that you have to draw three cards at once from the stockpile, unlike the one card in Turn 1. Once drawn, you can play only the top card of the three cards. This restriction makes the game significantly more difficult and strategic. It is said that theoretically, only 79% are winnable in Klondike Solitaire Three Turn, compared to a higher win rate in the standard Turn 1 version. In practice, studies show a win rate of 11.1% for experienced players.
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What is Turn 3 Klondike Solitaire?
Turn 3 is a version of Klondike Solitaire where 3 cards are drawn from the stockpile at once. Only the top card of the 3 can be played. Once that is played, you can you can play the next card of the 3 that have been dealt.
Game Setup and Objective
Objective
The goal is to organize all the cards into four foundation piles: one foundation pile for each suit, starting with the Ace and building up to the King.
Setup
The game uses a standard 52-card deck arranged as follows:
- Tableau: Seven columns with 28 cards total. The first column has one card, the second has two cards, and so on, with only the top card in each column face-up
- Stockpile: The remaining 24 cards form the draw pile
- Waste Pile: Where drawn cards are placed
- Foundation Piles: Four spaces for building each suit from Ace to King
Basic Rules
Foundation Building
- Start each foundation pile with an Ace
- Build up in suits from Ace to King
- Both players share all the foundation piles regardless of who starts them (in multiplayer versions)
Tableau Play
- Move cards between tableau columns following standard Klondike rules
- Build down in alternating colors (red on black, black on red)
- Only Kings can be placed on empty tableau columns
Stock and Waste Pile
When no more moves are available from the tableau, the top three cards from the stock are dealt face up to a single waste pile. The top card of the waste pile is always available for play.
Strategic Tips
Prioritize Exposing Hidden Cards
Roughly 35% of your entire deck remains face down at the start of the game. Uncovering these cards is a key strategy. Focus on moves that reveal as many face-down cards as possible to expand your options.
Tableau Beforehand
Play cards from the tableau before playing from the hand. This strategy helps maintain flexibility and creates more opportunities for future moves.
Avoid Consecutive Waste Pile Plays
Avoid playing three cards in a row from the wastepile. This helps you reach different cards and maintains better control over your card sequence.
Moves Carefully
- With two decks, you have more flexibility in foundation building. You can play more freely than in the one-deck forms of Klondike, and you can play unevenly if you need to to expose face-down cards.
- Available moves
- Foundations must be built in ascending order by suit. For example, a foundation pile will start with an Ace of Spades, followed by a 2 of Spades, and so on until it ends with a King of Spades.
- Tableau cards can be moved by sequencing them in descending order; this card-playing strategies apply to this game, alternating between red and black. For example, you can move a 6 of Spades on top of a 7 of Spades in another tableau column.
- The top card of each tableau column can be moved to the foundation.
- You can move multiple cards at one time. To move a group of cards, they must be sequenced, and the top card of that group must be placed on top of a playable card of the opposite suit and one rank higher.
- The top card of the waste pile can be played into the tableau or foundation. You dispense cards from the stockpile into the waste pile.
- Only Kings can move into empty tableau columns.
Multiplayer Version
Double Klondike can also be played as a competitive two-player game where:
- Two players build four piles using all available cards
- Each player uses their own deck with different colored backs
- Players race to be the first to move all their cards to the foundation piles
- Each player plays independently according to standard Klondike rules
Winning Statistics
Double Klondike has a winning rate of about 1 in 2 (about 50%), making it significantly more winnable than traditional single-deck Klondike, which typically has a much lower success rate.
Online Play
Many websites offer free Double Klondike Solitaire games with features like:
- Turn-1 or Turn-3 variants
- Hints and unlimited undo options
- No registration required
- Mobile-friendly interfaces
Turn 3 vs Turn 1 Comparison
Turn 3 Advantages:
- More challenging and strategic
- Better for experienced players
- Improves problem-solving skills
Turn 3 Disadvantages:
- Turn 3 is more difficult than Turn 1 because the stock deals three cards at a time instead of one
- Lower win rate
- Fewer playable options at any given time
Conclusion
Klondike Solitaire Turn 3, playing the Three Card Solitaire, is a more challenging game variant of the classic Klondike spider Solitaire game. The main difference is that you have to draw three cards at once from the stockpile, unlike the one card in Turn 1. Once drawn, you can play only the top card of the three cards.The top card of each tableau column can be moved to the foundation. You can move multiple cards at one time. To move a group of cards, they must be sequenced, and the top card of that group must be placed on top of a playable card of the opposite suit and one rank higher.
FAQs
Is turn 3 Klondike Solitaire harder than regular Klondike?
Not really. In fact, it’s often considered easier because having two decks gives you more possible moves, though the games do last longer.
Can I move multiple cards in turn 3 Klondike?
Yes. As long as the cards are in proper sequence and alternating colors, you can move whole groups of cards between tableau piles.
What makes turn 3Klondike different from standard solitaire?
The main difference is that it uses two decks (104 cards), which creates eight foundation piles instead of four and expands the tableau for more play options.