Klondike Solitaire, Turn 3
Turn 3, also called Draw 3, is how many people first learned Klondike solitaire on their computers: tap the deck and three cards turn over at once, but only the top one can be played. It is the classic, more challenging version of the game, because cards buried in the middle of a group are out of reach until the groups shift.
This page starts in Turn 3. You can switch to Turn 1 at any time from the Draw choice above the board.
Why Turn 3 is harder
In Turn 1 you can see every card in the deck, one at a time, as often as you like. In Turn 3 the deck comes round in the same groups of three. If the card you need is second or third in a group, you cannot play it until something changes the grouping. That is why good Turn 3 players think carefully about when to play a card from the waste pile: every card taken from it shifts all the groups that follow.
A strategy that works
- Make every table move before turning the deck. Revealing face-down cards in the columns is still the most valuable thing you can do.
- Go through the whole deck once early. Learn what is in it and where the key cards sit in each group of three.
- Use waste cards to shift the groups. Playing one card from the waste pile moves every later card up by one, which can bring a stuck card to the top.
- Keep a King ready before emptying a column. Only Kings can fill an empty column.
- Keep low cards available. Send cards to the foundations when they are no longer needed on the table, not automatically.
How to play here
Tap a card and it moves to the best legal spot, or drag cards and stacks. Tap the deck to turn three cards; when it runs out, tap again to turn the waste pile back over. Hint finds a move, undo is unlimited, and full screen turns your phone sideways for bigger cards.
Prefer an easier game? Play classic solitaire with Draw 1. Looking for more? Try Spider Solitaire 2 Suits or FreeCell.
How to play Solitaire Turn 3
- Build four foundation piles, one per suit, from Ace up to King.
- In the seven columns, stack cards downward in alternating colors. Only a King can go into an empty column.
- Tap the deck to turn over three cards at once. Only the top card of those three can be played.
- When the deck runs out, turn the waste pile back over and go through it again.
Solitaire Turn 3 tips
Watch the order of the deck
In Turn 3, the deck comes round in the same groups of three until you play a card from it. Remember which cards come up, and which card you would need to play to shift the groups.
Play from the deck to change the groups
Playing even one card from the waste pile shifts every following group of three, which can bring a stuck card to the top next time round.
Don't rush to the foundations
Keep low cards on the table while they can still hold other cards. A 3 on the foundation cannot help you move a red 2.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Turn 1 and Turn 3 solitaire?
In Turn 1 (Draw 1) you turn one card at a time and can reach every card in the deck. In Turn 3 you turn three and can only play the top one, so many cards stay out of reach until the groups change. Turn 3 is the classic, harder version.
Can every Turn 3 game be won?
No. More Turn 3 deals end without a win than Turn 1 deals, because cards can stay locked in the deck. Careful play and undo help a lot.
Can I switch to Draw 1?
Yes. Use the Draw choice above the board, or open the main solitaire page from the links at the top.
