Solitaire is a game that grew in popularity when it was introduced as a game on computers. It was often used as a way to pass some time while sitting at a desk. Now, the game has grown even more with its introduction onto new platforms such as Android and iOS. This means that players can now access and play solitaire and its variations on their mobile devices and tablets.
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Introduction
If you need to know where or how to download or play Solitaire, look no further. Here is the ultimate guide for the budding Solitaire player, or old-timer. You can choose to play the game online through a browser, or even download it straight to your mobile phone as an app.
What is Solitaire
Solitaire, or Patience, is a card game that can be played alone, or with others using a scoring system. In order to win, the player needs to manipulate a layout of cards to form the correct sequence. Most commonly, the game is played by arranging cards by suit from ace to king. This is done by the cards being dealt out in a certain manner, and then the player reorganizing them under prescribed rules.
Many players enjoy Solitaire as they can play it by themselves. Players can take their time and really enjoy the game without worrying about a dealer or competitor playing against them. However, there is an option to play against others. This is done using a scoring system and isn’t necessarily directly playing against each other.
The ability to play Solitaire sitting at your desk, with no obligations, is a big bonus for many. While some use it to pass the time, others are very serious about their Solitaire playing. Wherever you sit, there are online sites and apps for you to play at any time you wish.
Where can I get Solitaire for my Mobile Device?
Thanks to the internet, you can access solitaire games on your phone or tablet at pretty much anytime. Make sure you have a decent signal and you are ready to go. You can either choose to download the app to your phone, or play through your browser.
App
Downloading a Solitaire app straight to your phone means you permanently have access to your favourite game at any time. In order to download the app, you will need enough data or a good WiFi connection and enough space on your phone to store the game. You will always be logged into your account on the app, saving you the trouble of logging in each time you visit the site if need be.
Online Site
Choosing to play through your browser on an online site gives you a bit more freedom. You don’t have to use up space on your phone to play the game, and you aren’t really tied down to one either. However you will need a good internet connection each time you want to play, otherwise, you will not be able to access the site. Many sites require you to create an account to use, this can become quite tedious if you change between different sites.
If you are using iOS, you need to use the Safari browser to access these sites or download them from the Apple App Store. For Android, Chrome is a good browser to use in the Play Store. Both iOS and Android should be able to play the majority if not all, games out there in the market. Many games and apps also support devices such as Windows, Blackberry and Kindle. You should be able to easily change devices when playing.
7 Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile
There are many Solitaire games out there. It is difficult to find the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile because it is so saturated. Here is a list of the tried and tested Solitaire sites and apps for you to enjoy and these are the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile. Some are free to play and others need to be bought to download. Here are the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile.
1. Spider
Although Klondike is the most popular version in general, Spider Solitaire takes the top spot within the 2-deck types of Solitaire games. It takes its name from the 8 foundations that must be built to win the game, as spiders normally have 8 legs themselves. This is one of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile.
The chances of winning a Solitaire Spider game are said to be around 1 in every 3 games.
Game-play
Solitaire Spider uses two card decks. Depending on the difficulty level, it can be played with one or more suits. The tableau setting is generally similar to that of the Klondike, with piles, a Stockpile, and foundations. However, the cards are all exposed and only full sequences can be sent to the foundations.
The goal is to build suit sequences within the piles, starting with the King and ending with the Ace. The game becomes considerably more challenging if more than one suit is used.
Tapping on the Stockpile will add an extra card to every pile.
2. Klondike
Klondike is the most popular version of Solitaire. This is one of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile. So much so, that when used alone the term “Solitaire” usually refers to this game. Its origins are uncertain, but it is likely to have first appeared during the gold rush, in the 19th century, in the region of Klondike in Canada, from where it derives its name.
Its massive popularity can be traced back to its inclusion in Microsoft’s Windows 3.0 in 1990.
Game-play
Klondike uses a 52-card deck. The goal is to arrange them by suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King, on empty areas called the foundations.
The cards are dealt into 7 piles on the tableau (the game area). All the cards are facing down, except for the upper one in each pile. To access and reveal the bottom cards, the players have to build sequences and move them within the piles. Sequences on the tableau are built in descending order (from King to Ace) and with alternating colours. Only Kings can be moved into empty spaces on the tableau.
The remaining cards that were not dealt into the piles are arranged in a Stock pile. These can be called into play to help players build their sequences.
3. FreeCell
Out of the different types of Solitaire games, FreeCell Solitaire is the one that resembles Klondike (the regular version) the most. However, it is considered a more strategic version of the latter, as it requires a more careful and thoughtful approach.
Nevertheless, it is one of the Solitaire games with the highest solvable probabilities. Around 99% of its deals are estimated to be solvable.
Game-play
FreeCell’s gameplay is the most similar to that of Klondike. It also uses one single deck, and the cards are dealt into 7 piles. In this Solitaire game, however, all cards are dealt and there is no Stock pile. The cards are also facing forward and visible to the player. The goal is to build the foundations by suit.
Sequences are also built in the same way as with Klondike: by suit, in ascending order in the foundations, and in descending order, with alternating colors within the piles on the tableau.
The main difference between them is, nevertheless, the existence of 4 empty spaces on the tableau: the free cells. Cards can be sent to these cells and be left on hold, to free those underneath them.
Once a card is in a free cell, it can only be called into play again to build a pile or foundation sequence. It is not possible to exchange cards.
4. Pyramid
Pyramid Solitaire got its name from the single pyramid shape of the dealt cards on the tableau. Despite its simple layout and rules, it is one of the types of Solitaire games with the lowest probability of winning. This is one of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile.
Victory in this game is conditioned by the different ways that cards may be positioned on the tableau and by the strategic approach taken by the player. When the rules are set to allow the player to only go through the Stock pile once, the chances of winning are around 1 in 50.
Game-play
Pyramid is a Solitaire pairing game. 28 cards are set on the tableau, all facing forwards, in the shape of a pyramid. Only the cards that are not covered can be called into play.
The goal is to deconstruct the pyramid by pairing cards whose total equals 13 points, regardless of their suit (e.g., 8+5=13). When using a standard 52-card deck, the King is valued at 13 and can be removed by itself. The Queens are valued at 12 and the Jacks at 11.
The player can draw one card at a time from the Stock pile to try to find a match for a card on the pyramid. The difficulty of the game is set depending on the number of times a player may go through the Stock pile.
6. Yukon
Yukon Solitaire is a game heavily inspired by the traditional Klondike and, yet, its rules are significantly different to make it a completely independent game with a higher difficulty level. This is one of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile.
The goal in the Yukon Solitaire is also to build four foundations by suit, starting with the ace and ending with the king. However, the rules to move the cards around the tableau are a bit more challenging, especially because of the inexistence of a Stock pile or any type of help.
Game-play
A 52-card deck is set on the tableau, divided into 7 piles. All cards are exposed, except for the bottom ones, ranging from 1 to 6, starting from the left. There is no Stockpile.
The sequences within the piles are formed in the same way as in the Klondike game, that is, in descending order and alternating colors. However, the cards do not need to be in a sequence or free to be moved around. The only rule is that they can only top free cards. The goal is to move around the cards and expose the suitable ones to build ascending sequences by suit on the foundations.
7. Baker’s Dozen
This game uses a standard 52-card deck. This is one of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile. The cards are set into 13 piles (a baker’s dozen), all facing forward. The Kings are always placed at the bottom of the piles.
The goal is to build the foundations in ascending order (Ace to King). Only the upper cards can be moved within the piles. It is not possible to move sequences within them. The suit does not matter to building sequences in the tableau.
Synopsis
Whether Solitaire is an old hobby of yours or you are looking for something to pass the time, use these sites to test the water as you will find here some of the Best Solitaire Card Games for Mobile. It is a great game to pass time and to focus on something enjoyable.
