Triple Klondike Solitaire – Triple the Fun! 🎉🃏

Welcome to Triple Klondike Solitaire, where we take the classic solitaire you know and love and triple everything – triple the decks, triple the challenge, and triple the fun! 😃 If you’ve ever played traditional Klondike (the standard Solitaire game with one deck), get ready for an epic supersized version. Triple Klondike uses 3 full decks of cards (yep, 156 cards in total!) to create a solitaire experience that’s longer, a bit easier to win, and totally engaging. In this casual guide, we’ll cover how to play, the rules, a bit of history, who came up with this variant, and some handy tips and tricks. Plus, you can play Triple Klondike right here on SolitaireX.io for free, so let’s shuffle up and deal! 🎴🎮

How to Play Triple Klondike Solitaire 🤓

Playing Triple Klondike is very similar to classic Klondike solitaire – just on a larger scale. If you know how to play regular solitaire, you’re already halfway there. Here’s a quick rundown of the basic step-by-step play:

Setup the Tableau: The game begins by dealing 13 columns of cards on the tableau (the play area). The first column has 1 card, the second has 2 cards, the third has 3, and so on, up to the thirteenth column with 13 cards. Only the top card of each column is face-up, and all cards beneath are face-down. The remaining cards (after dealing out those 13 piles) become the stock pile, set aside face-down. You’ll also have 12 foundation spots above the tableau ready for each suit’s piles (more on those in a second).
Goal – Build the Foundations: Just like in classic solitaire, your ultimate goal is to move all the cards to the foundation piles. There are 12 foundation piles (since we have 3 decks, we need 3 separate Ace-to-King piles for each suit). You start a foundation with an Ace and build it up in ascending order by suit (Ace, 2, 3, … up to King of that suit). To win, you’ll need to complete all 12 of these piles – which means finding every card from every suit and stacking them appropriately. Don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it sounds, because you have more cards and more chances to find what you need!
Making Moves on the Tableau: On the tableau (the 13 columns you dealt), you can move cards around to free up hidden cards and make progress. You can place a card on another card if it is one rank lower and of the opposite color (e.g. a red 7 on a black 8, or a black Queen on a red King). Just like classic solitaire, you can move not only single cards but also stacks of face-up cards if they form a descending sequence in alternating colors. For example, if one column has a sequence 6♦, 5♣, 4♥ face-up, you can pick up that whole group and move it onto a 7♠ in another column, since each card in the sequence is in order and opposite color. The key is to keep exposing those face-down cards in each column – every time you move a card that was covering others, flip the next card face-up. Uncovering cards will give you new moves and get you closer to winning.
Using the Stock & Waste: If you run out of moves on the tableau, it’s time to use the stock (the leftover pile). Click or draw from the stock pile to reveal additional cards (often three at a time, like classic Klondike Turn-3, though some versions let you draw one at a time for an easier game). These cards go into a waste pile, and the top card of the waste can be played to either a foundation or the tableau if it fits. Keep cycling through the stock whenever you get stuck – most Triple Klondike games allow unlimited redeals (you can recycle the waste back into the stock after you go through it) because with so many cards, you’ll need multiple passes. Essentially, use the stock to keep supplying new cards until you can eventually move everything to the foundations.
Empty Columns & Kings: In the course of play, you’ll hopefully clear out some tableau columns (by moving all their cards elsewhere). Whenever you empty a column, you can only fill that space with a King or a sequence of cards starting with a King. This is just like the classic rule: only Kings can occupy an empty pile. Because Triple Klondike has more Kings (twelve Kings in total across 3 decks!), you’ll get a lot of chances to create new piles. Try to free up a column and immediately move a King (with possibly a queen, jack, etc. under it) into that space. This opens up a new avenue to manipulate cards and continue revealing hidden ones.
Keep Going Until You Win: Continue building down on the tableau, moving cards to foundations, and drawing from the stock whenever needed. The game is won when all 156 cards are on the foundations, which means you’ve successfully sorted every suit from Ace to King in each of the 12 foundation piles. At that point, congratulations – you’ve conquered Triple Klondike Solitaire! 🎊 If you get stuck and no more moves are possible even after using the stock, then it’s game over (time to hit “New Game” and try again). But with practice (and a bit of luck), you’ll be able to win and enjoy the massive satisfaction of completing this triple-deck challenge.

Rules of the Game 📋

Let’s break down the official rules and setup of Triple Klondike Solitaire, for those who like a concise summary. The rules are very much like classic Klondike, with adjustments for the extra cards and piles:

Cards & Decks: Triple Klondike uses 3 standard 52-card decks shuffled together, totaling 156 cards. Expect to see every suit and rank three times each.
Foundation Piles (12): There are 12 foundation piles (the goal piles) – effectively three per suit. Each foundation must be built up in ascending order from Ace to King of the same suit. For example, you might have up to three separate piles for Spades: each starting with an Ace of Spades and building up to King of Spades. An empty foundation can only be started with an Ace. The game is won when all 12 foundations are complete with Ace→King sequences.
Tableau Piles (13): The tableau (playing field) consists of 13 columns. The dealing is similar to classic solitaire’s 7 piles but extended: the 1st column gets 1 card, 2nd gets 2 cards, 3rd gets 3, ... up to the 13th column with 13 cards. Only the top card of each pile is dealt face-up; all others below are face-down. You can build down on tableau piles in alternating colors (red on black, black on red) and by descending rank (one lower). Sequences of cards that are in proper descending alternate-color order can be moved as a group from one column to another (e.g. you can move a whole stack 10♣-9♥-8♣ onto a Jack♥). If a face-down card becomes uncovered, flip it face-up so it can be played. Empty column? Only a King can be placed in an empty tableau spot (you can move a single King or even a group of cards starting with a King to fill the space).
Stock & Waste: After dealing the tableau, you’ll have leftover cards (156 total cards minus 91 dealt to the tableau = 65 cards remain) which form the stock pile. When you can’t make any more moves with what’s on the tableau, draw from the stock. Typically, Triple Klondike is played as a Turn-3 game (meaning flip 3 cards at a time from stock onto the waste pile), making it a bit more challenging; some versions let you choose Turn-1 (one card at a time) for an easier game. Only the top card of the waste pile is available to play at any time. You can play the waste card onto a foundation if it fits the next needed rank and suit, or onto a tableau column if it fits the descending alternate-color sequence rule. If the stock runs out and you still need more cards, you can recycle the waste back into the stock and go through it again – usually unlimited times in Triple Klondike because of the huge number of cards.
Objective: Move every single card to the foundation piles, sorting all suits from Aces through Kings. Complete all twelve foundation piles to win the game. If no moves remain and the stock is empty (and you’ve exhausted redeals), then the game is lost. But since there are so many cards and possibilities, wins are actually more common in Triple Klondike than in regular solitaire (more on that in the Tips section 😉).

These rules might sound like a lot, but if you’ve played classic solitaire, it’s really just more of the same. The main differences are having more piles to manage and keeping track of multiple copies of the same card rank. Once you get the hang of it, Triple Klondike plays very intuitively – it’s the familiar solitaire gameplay, just “supersized” with extra cards and piles.

History of Triple Klondike Solitaire 📜

Solitaire itself (also known as “Patience”) has a long, storied history dating back to the 1700s, and Klondike Solitaire (the standard one-deck game most people simply call “Solitaire”) became famous in the late 19th century. But what about Triple Klondike? This three-deck variant wasn’t played at Victorian card tables – in fact, Triple Klondike is a relatively modern twist on the game. Managing multiple decks of cards in a manual setting is cumbersome, so multi-deck versions of solitaire only really took off in the 20th century once people started playing on computers.

The idea of using more than one deck for solitaire gained popularity in the mid-1900s. For example, the well-known Spider Solitaire (which uses two decks) first appeared around 1949 and proved that more cards could mean more challenge and fun. Other two-deck games like Forty Thieves also became classics. However, three-deck and larger solitaire games were almost unheard of in the old days – imagine trying to shuffle and lay out 156 cards by hand, it would be quite the undertaking! 😅 It was only when personal computers became common that designers started experimenting with supersized solitaire games. Triple Klondike Solitaire emerged during the rise of computerized solitaire in the late 20th century, as a new “mega-solitaire” for players craving an extra challenge (and a longer game).

Today, Triple Klondike isn’t as famous as regular Klondike, but it has a devoted following among solitaire enthusiasts. It’s featured in many digital solitaire collections and websites as an advanced option. If you’ve mastered single-deck solitaire and want to mix it up, Triple Klondike is like the “boss level” of Klondike – longer, twistier, but ultimately very rewarding. And thanks to computers (and websites like SolitaireX.io), you can enjoy Triple Klondike without the headache of handling three physical decks. 🙌

Who Created & Popularized Triple Klondike? 🧑‍💻

Triple Klondike didn’t just magically appear out of nowhere; it was invented by a well-known solitaire game designer named Thomas Warfield. Warfield is something of a legend in the solitaire world – he’s the creator of the popular software Pretty Good Solitaire, which is a huge collection of hundreds of solitaire game variations. Sometime in the 1990s, during the golden age of PC card games, Warfield introduced Triple Klondike as one of the new variants in his collection. By doing so, he formalized the rules and brought this three-deck game to a wide audience of computer users who were itching for more solitaire challenges.

Thomas Warfield didn’t stop there. He also came up with related variants like Double Klondike (using two decks) and even Quadruple Klondike (four decks!), essentially creating a whole family of multi-deck Klondike games. His versions were included in Pretty Good Solitaire and other collections, which meant that anyone who installed those games could discover Triple Klondike. As a result, Warfield’s work popularized Triple Klondike among digital solitaire players. Other developers and websites later adopted Triple Klondike as well, so you’ll now find it on many solitaire platforms (including SolitaireX.io 😀).

In short, while the concept of multi-deck solitaire had been around, we can thank Thomas Warfield for giving us Triple Klondike in its current form and spreading it to the world. 🎩 Fun fact: Warfield’s Pretty Good Solitaire rates Triple Klondike as “Very Easy (98%)” in win probability – meaning almost every deal can be won with skilled play. So not only did he create the game, he also reassured us that winning is definitely possible!

Tips and Tricks for Winning 🏆

Ready to improve your Triple Klondike game? While luck always plays a part in solitaire, there are some strategies and tips that can boost your chances of success. Here are a few winning tips to keep in mind as you play:

Prioritize Uncovering Cards: With 13 tableau piles and so many cards, your first objective should be to reveal face-down cards whenever possible. Don’t just move cards aimlessly – try to make moves that flip over hidden cards in the tableau. The faster you expose those face-down cards, the more options you’ll have. If you ignore this and just keep drawing from the stock, the tableau can become a cluttered mess and you might trap important cards. So, whenever you see a move that frees a face-down card, take it! Every card you reveal could open up new moves and bring you closer to winning.
Use Empty Columns Wisely (Get those Kings out! 👑): An empty column in the tableau is like prime real estate – only a King can live there, so use it strategically. If you clear a column, immediately fill that space with a King (if one is available) or even a whole King-led sequence. This frees up other spaces and lets you continue building. Conversely, if you have a King that’s stuck behind other cards, you might want to focus on liberating it so that you can make a new pile. Remember, empty piles = opportunities, especially since you have up to 12 Kings floating around in Triple Klondike. Getting all those Kings into play will greatly help in organizing the tableau.
Build Foundations Evenly: This is a pro tip specific to multi-deck games – try to distribute your cards across the foundations somewhat evenly as you build them up. In other words, don’t rush to pile all cards of one suit up to the King while other suits lag far behind. If you concentrate only on one or two suits, you might find later that you’ve run out of moves because the cards you need are buried under those fully built suits. By advancing all the foundation piles in tandem (more or less), you maintain a balance of available cards from each suit. For example, if you have a choice to play either a 5♦ or a 5♣ to their foundations, consider which suit’s 6 might be accessible, or whether you might need one of those 5s to help move something on the tableau. Keeping the foundations balanced prevents one suit from prematurely “running out” of playable cards and blocking progress.
Manage the Stock and Waste: In Triple Klondike, you usually get unlimited passes through the stock, but that doesn’t mean you should be careless. Try to play at least one card from each batch you draw from the stock. If you flip 3 cards and none are immediately useful, you might consider undoing or just cycling (depending on game rules) to avoid clogging the waste. Also, since you have so many cards, pay attention to what’s in the waste pile; the card you need might be just a few flips away. If your game allows an Undo button (and you’re not doing a strict challenge), don’t be shy about using it to try a different approach. Sometimes a move that seems less obvious (like not immediately playing a card from the waste so that another card can appear on the next flip) can be the key to victory. 🔄💡
Stay Patient and Persistent: A game of Triple Klondike can take longer to win than regular solitaire – after all, you have three times the cards to sort! It’s called Patience for a reason. 🙂 Don’t rush and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. In fact, Triple Klondike is known to be more winnable than classic one-deck solitaire – many deals are solvable with the right strategy, and the win rate is quite high (some estimates say around 90-98% of deals are winnable for skilled players!). So if you get stuck, use those hints (if available), rethink your moves, or start a fresh game and apply what you learned. Every game won is extremely satisfying, and every loss is a chance to improve your strategy. Keep practicing, and you’ll be triumpantly yelling “Solitaire solved!” in no time. 🏅

Remember, the Undo and Hint features (if you’re playing online here at SolitaireX.io or elsewhere) are your friends. Using Undo isn’t cheating – it’s a learning tool that helps you explore different outcomes. And hints can gently guide you if you overlook a move. With these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll find that Triple Klondike Solitaire is not only beatable, but also incredibly fun and addictive once you get on a roll. Good luck, and happy card-stacking! 🤞

Play Triple Klondike Solitaire at SolitaireX.io 🎮

Ready to give Triple Klondike a try yourself? You can play Triple Klondike Solitaire online for free right here on SolitaireX.io – no download or sign-up needed! Just head over to our Triple Solitaire game page at solitairex.io/triple-solitaire and start playing instantly. The game on our site is user-friendly and perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. You’ll get convenient features like Undo and Hint buttons, smooth animations, and the ability to toggle draw-one or draw-three modes. Whether you’re on a quick break or settling in for a longer session, SolitaireX.io’s Triple Klondike will keep you entertained. 🎲🕹️

Give it a go – see if you can sort all those cards into their foundations and achieve the ultimate triple-deck victory! And the best part is, it’s all in your browser, completely free. Challenge yourself with this “triple” solitaire adventure, and who knows – you might discover that three decks are thrice as nice! 😉

Discover More Solitaire Games on SolitaireX.io 🌟

If you enjoy Triple Klondike, the fun doesn’t have to stop there! SolitaireX.io offers a whole library of other free solitaire games and variations for you to explore. Head over to our Other Games section to find a variety of classic and modern solitaire games beyond just Klondike. Whether you want to try the two-deck challenge of Spider Solitaire, the strategic puzzle of FreeCell, the fast-paced TriPeaks, or quirky variants like Pyramid, Forty Thieves, or Yukon, we’ve got you covered. ♠️♥️♣️♦️

Feel free to discover new favorites and switch up your solitaire routine. Each game on our site comes with instructions and tips, so you can learn as you play. SolitaireX.io is your one-stop destination to enjoy solitaire in all its forms – from the easy and relaxing to the truly mind-bending.

Thank you for visiting, and happy gaming! May your foundations build high and your shuffles be ever in your favor. Now, go ahead and dive into a game of Triple Klondike or explore our other solitaire offerings. Have fun and good luck! 🎉🃏🙌