What is Yukon Solitaire?

Yukon Solitaire is a strategic card game similar to Klondike but with a crucial difference: you can move any face-up card along with all cards on top of it, creating more flexible gameplay. There's no stock pile - all 52 cards are dealt face-up or face-down in the tableau at the start, making it pure strategy.

What is the Yukon Move?

The Yukon Move is the ability to move any face-up card along with all cards stacked on top of it, regardless of whether those cards form a proper sequence. For example, you can move a 7 of hearts with a 3 of clubs, King of diamonds, and Ace of spades on top of it - the entire group moves together.

What's the win rate for Yukon Solitaire?

Skilled players typically win 25-30% of Yukon games. This makes it easier than Russian Solitaire (10-15% win rate) but harder than Klondike (30-40% win rate). The lack of a stock pile and visible cards make it more strategic than Klondike.

Is Yukon Solitaire harder than Klondike?

Yes, Yukon is generally considered harder than Klondike because the tableau starts with more cards (52 vs 28), creating more complexity. However, the flexible movement rules and no stock pile make it more strategic and less luck-dependent. It's the perfect middle ground between Klondike and Russian Solitaire.

Can you move partial sequences in Yukon?

Yes! This is what makes Yukon unique. You can move any face-up card along with everything on top of it, even if the cards don't form a proper descending sequence. The card you move must still be placed on a valid target (one rank higher, opposite color), but the cards moving with it don't need to be sequenced.

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Yukon Solitaire: The Perfect Strategic Challenge

Last Updated: November 2025 | Reading Time: 10 minutes

Yukon Solitaire, also known as Yukon Patience, is the ideal middle ground between Klondike's accessibility and Russian Solitaire's brutal difficulty. With no stock pile and the unique ability to move any face-up card with all cards on top of it, Yukon transforms classic solitaire into a pure strategy game where every decision matters. All 52 cards are visible from the start, eliminating luck and rewarding careful planning.

🎴 Play Free Yukon Solitaire Now

📋 Quick Reference: Yukon at a Glance

Attribute	Details
Difficulty	Medium-Hard (Strategic)
Win Rate	~25-30% for skilled players
Deck	Single standard 52-card deck
Average Game Time	10-18 minutes
Skill vs. Luck	80% Skill, 20% Luck
Key Feature	Move any face-up card + all cards above it
Alternative Names	Yukon Patience

Game Objective

Move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, building each suit from Ace to King. Success requires mastering the unique Yukon movement rules and planning multiple moves ahead to expose face-down cards while building foundations.

🏗️ Setup and Layout

Yukon begins with a unique deal that distinguishes it from Klondike:

The Tableau Deal

Column 1: 1 card face-down, 1 card face-up on top (2 cards total)
Column 2: 2 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (7 cards total)
Column 3: 3 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (8 cards total)
Column 4: 4 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (9 cards total)
Column 5: 5 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (10 cards total)
Column 6: 6 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (11 cards total)
Column 7: 7 cards face-down, 1 card face-up on top, plus 4 additional face-up cards (12 cards total)

            📊 Card Distribution:
            Total cards: 52 (all cards in play from the start)
Face-down cards: 28 (1+2+3+4+5+6+7)
Face-up cards: 24 (1 on each column + 4 additional on columns 2-7)
Stock pile: None - this is key!

        

Yukon Solitaire - Initial Setup

All 52 cards dealt to tableau. No stock pile! Columns 2-7 get 4 extra face-up cards.

Foundations (Build Ace → King by Suit)

♥

♦

♣

♠

Tableau (7 columns - ALL 52 cards dealt here!)

Col 1
1 card

Col 2
6 cards

Col 3
7 cards

Col 4
8 cards

Col 5
9 cards

Col 6
10 cards

Col 7
11 cards

KEY YUKON FEATURES:

No Stock Pile! All 52 cards dealt to tableau
Multiple Face-Up Cards: Columns 2-7 have 5 face-up cards (green borders = movable)
The "Yukon Move": Move ANY face-up card with all cards on top of it (even if not in proper sequence!)

Yukon Setup Diagram: The unique deal pattern with 7 columns, 28 face-down cards, and 24 face-up cards. All 52 cards are dealt at the start with no stock pile.

The Foundations

Four empty foundation piles where you build each suit independently from Ace through King.

🎴 The Game-Changing Rule: The Yukon Move

KLONDIKE METHOD (Only complete sequences can move) 8♥ 7♠ 6♥ Can move 5♣ with it ✗ 6♥ 3♦ STUCK! Cannot move 6♥ alone - it's not the bottom card Cannot move 6♥+3♦ - not a valid sequence ✓ YUKON METHOD (Move any face-up card + everything on it!) 8♥ 7♠ 6♥ Move this 3♦ + this! → 6♥ 3♦ Both! Can move 6♥ + everything on top (even if not sequenced!) This is the YUKON MOVE - the game's defining feature! 💡 The Yukon Move in Action Example 1: Move K♠ K♠ 5♦ Q♣ 2♥ ✓ Can move K♠ + 5♦ + Q♣ + 2♥ to empty column! Example 2: Move 9♥ J♦ 9♥ 8♠ 7♥ ✓ Can move 9♥ + 8♠ + 7♥ onto 10♣ in another column Example 3: Expose face-down ? 4♥ A♠ ✓ Move 4♥ + A♠ away → Flip face-down card! Core strategy: expose hidden cards Example 4: Single card 6♣ 3♦ ✓ Can move 3♦ alone (nothing on top) or to foundation if A♦ & 2♦ there

The Yukon Move Explained:

In Yukon, you can move any face-up card along with all cards stacked on top of it, regardless of whether those cards form a proper sequence. The only requirement is that the card you're moving (the bottom card of the group) must be placed on a valid target (one rank higher, opposite color).

Example: If you have a column with 7♠ (bottom), then K♦, 3♣, and A♥ stacked on top, you can move the 7♠ + K♦ + 3♣ + A♥ (all four cards) onto an 8♥ in another column.

This is fundamentally different from Klondike, where you can only move properly sequenced cards (descending rank, alternating colors). The Yukon Move creates unique strategic opportunities and is the defining mechanic of the game.

The "Yukon Move" - Moving Any Face-Up Card

In Yukon, you can move ANY face-up card along with all cards on top of it, even if they're not properly sequenced!

✓ VALID Yukon Moves (Even Without Proper Sequence!)

Move ANY face-up card + cards above

Before:

→

After:

Move 5♦+9♣ together to 6♠

✓

Move single face-up card (standard)

Before:

→

After:

Move 7♥ to 8♣

✓

Revealing face-down cards

Before:

→

After:

Flipped!

Move Q♦+J♠ to reveal face-down

✓

✗ INVALID Yukon Moves

Cannot move face-down cards

✗

Only face-up cards can be moved

✗

Must alternate colors (red/black)

✗

Red 7 cannot go on red 8

✗

Must be descending rank

✗

6 cannot go on 5 (must descend)

✗

The "Yukon Move" Rule:

You can move ANY face-up card along with all cards on top of it (even if those cards aren't properly sequenced)
This is different from Klondike, where you can only move properly sequenced runs
The card you're moving must still follow building rules: one rank higher, opposite color

Yukon Movement Diagram: Demonstrates the signature Yukon Move - any face-up card can be moved along with all cards stacked above it, regardless of sequence. This flexibility is what makes Yukon unique.

📏 Complete Movement Rules

Tableau Building

Descending Rank: K → Q → J → 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → A
Alternating Colors: Red on black, black on red (just like Klondike)
Yukon Move: Any face-up card + all cards above it can be moved together
Valid Placement: The card being moved must go on a card one rank higher and opposite color
Example: Red 6 can go on black 7; black Queen can go on red King

Empty Column Rules

Only Kings (or groups headed by Kings) can fill empty columns
When moving a King to an empty column, all cards on top of it move too
Empty columns are extremely valuable for reorganizing the tableau

Foundation Building

Build by suit in ascending order (A → 2 → 3 → ... → K)
Each foundation must be a single suit (all hearts, all spades, etc.)
Cards can be moved back to tableau if needed (rarely useful)
Win when all four foundations are complete (Ace to King)

Face-Down Cards

When all face-up cards are moved off a face-down card, flip it face-up
Exposing face-down cards is a primary strategic goal
28 cards start face-down (1+2+3+4+5+6+7 in columns 1-7)

🧠 Winning Strategies for Yukon Solitaire

1. Expose Face-Down Cards Aggressively

Priority #1: Your primary goal should be revealing face-down cards. Each card you expose gives you more options and increases your chances of winning. Prioritize moves that flip face-down cards over moves that simply organize face-up cards.

Why this matters:

28 of your 52 cards start face-down - more than half the deck!
Face-down cards could be any rank or suit - they're mystery cards that could save your game
The rightmost columns (6 and 7) have the most face-down cards (6 and 7 respectively)
Focus on columns 5-7 first to maximize card exposure early in the game

2. Master the Yukon Cascade

The "Yukon Cascade" is using the flexible movement rule to create chain reactions:

💡 Advanced Technique: When you move a group of cards using the Yukon Move, you often expose a face-down card that can immediately be used. This can trigger a cascade of moves: Move group A → flip card → move card → flip another card → move group B. Planning these cascades 3-4 moves ahead is the key to winning.

Look for opportunities where moving one group will expose a card you can immediately use
Plan sequences of 3-5 moves that each expose a new face-down card
The more cards you expose in a sequence, the more options you create

3. Create Empty Columns Strategically

Empty columns are your most powerful resource in Yukon:

Focus on clearing columns 1-3 first (they have fewer face-down cards)
An empty column lets you move any King (plus everything on top of it)
Use empty columns to reorganize messy stacks and access buried cards
Don't fill an empty column until you have a specific strategic reason
Having 2+ empty columns simultaneously is extremely powerful

⚠️ Common Mistake: Filling empty columns with the first available King. Empty columns are too valuable to waste. Only fill them when that specific King needs to be moved OR when placing it creates immediate strategic value (like exposing multiple face-down cards).

4. Use the Yukon Move for Flexibility

The Yukon Move isn't just about moving cards - it's about creating options:

Unblock cards: Move an entire stack to expose a buried card you need
Temporary storage: Move mismatched cards onto another column to make room
Reorganize: Break apart messy stacks and rebuild them more efficiently
Access foundations: Move blocking cards away to free Aces and low cards

5. Build Long Sequences When Possible

While you can move any face-up card, building proper sequences is still beneficial:

Proper sequences (descending, alternating colors) are easier to move as units
Long sequences reduce the number of separate "pieces" you're managing
Try to build sequences of 4-6 cards when the opportunity arises
But don't sacrifice exposing face-down cards just to build sequences

6. Delay Foundation Moves

⚠️ Foundation Timing: Don't rush to move cards to foundations. Low and mid-range cards (2-8) are often more useful in the tableau for building sequences and creating moves. Only move cards to foundations when you're certain you won't need them.

When to move to foundations:

Aces: Move immediately - they have no tableau use
Twos and Threes: Safe to move once exposed
Fours through Eights: Keep in tableau until late game
Nines through Kings: Only move when the path is clear (all lower cards already in foundations)

7. Think Multiple Moves Ahead

Yukon rewards planning because all cards are visible:

Before making a move, visualize the next 3-5 moves
Ask: "What does this move make possible? What does it block?"
Look for move sequences that expose multiple face-down cards
Identify which cards you need and where they might be hidden

8. Prioritize Column Balance

Try to keep your tableau columns relatively balanced:

Avoid having one column with 15+ cards while others are empty
Long columns are hard to manage and limit your flexibility
Spread cards across multiple columns for easier access
If a column gets too long, look for ways to split it up

9. Watch for Deadlock Patterns

Certain patterns can lead to unwinnable positions:

🚨 Deadlock Warning Signs:

All cards of a needed rank are trapped under long stacks
Critical suits are blocked with no face-down cards left to free them
All four Kings are buried and you have no empty columns
You need a specific card that's at the bottom of the deepest column

If you recognize these patterns early, use undo to try alternative approaches.

10. Use Undo as a Learning Tool

Yukon's complexity makes undo essential for learning:

Experiment with different move orders and use undo to compare results
When stuck, undo 5-10 moves and try a different approach
Learn to recognize which early decisions lead to dead ends
Don't be afraid to restart if you realize you made critical mistakes early

Scoring System

Our Yukon Solitaire implementation features comprehensive scoring:

            📊 Point Values:
            +10 points for each card moved to foundations (520 points total)
+5 points for each face-down card revealed (140 points total for all 28)
+500 points for winning the game
Time bonus: +2 points per second under 5 minutes (300 seconds)

        

Perfect Game Score: If you complete a game in 4 minutes (240 seconds): 520 + 140 + 500 + (60 × 2) = 520 + 140 + 500 + 120 = 1,280 points

Your top 5 scores are saved locally. Challenge yourself to minimize time while maximizing efficiency!

🎲 Yukon vs. Other Solitaire Variants

Feature	Yukon	Klondike	Russian
Building Rule	Alternating colors	Alternating colors	Same suit only
Movement Flexibility	Move any face-up card + all above	Move sequences only	Move any face-up card + all above
Stock Pile	None - all cards dealt	Yes - 24 cards	None - all cards dealt
Difficulty	Medium-Hard	Medium	Very Hard
Win Rate (skilled)	25-30%	30-40%	10-15%
Strategy Depth	High	Medium	Extreme
Luck Factor	Low (all cards visible)	Medium-High (stock)	Low (all cards visible)
Average Game Time	10-18 minutes	5-10 minutes	12-20 minutes
Best For	Strategic players	All skill levels	Expert players

💡 Why Yukon is the Perfect Middle Ground:

Yukon combines Klondike's accessible alternating-color building with the strategic depth of no stock pile. It's harder than Klondike (more cards in tableau, pure strategy) but easier than Russian (no brutal suit restriction). If you find Klondike too easy but Russian too hard, Yukon is your ideal challenge.

🚫 Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Playing It Like Klondike
Don't limit yourself to moving only complete sequences. The Yukon Move is your superpower - use it! You can move any face-up card with everything on top of it. Embrace this flexibility.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Face-Down Cards
Focusing only on organizing face-up cards is a losing strategy. You need to expose those 28 face-down cards to have enough options to win. Prioritize flipping face-down cards above all else.

Mistake #3: Rushing to Foundations
Moving mid-range cards (4-9) to foundations too early eliminates your building options. Keep these cards in the tableau until you're certain you won't need them for sequences.

Mistake #4: Wasting Empty Columns
Filling empty columns carelessly is game-ending. Only place Kings in empty columns when you have a clear strategic reason - usually to expose face-down cards or reorganize the tableau.

Mistake #5: Not Planning Ahead
Making impulsive moves without planning 3-5 steps ahead leads to dead ends. Take time to visualize the consequences of each move before acting.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Column 7
Column 7 starts with 7 face-down cards - more than any other column. Many players avoid it because it's daunting, but you MUST clear it to win. Start working on column 7 early in the game.

📈 Progression Path

Beginner (Games 1-15): Learning the Rules

Goal: Understand the Yukon Move and finish 10 games
Practice moving groups of cards using the Yukon Move
Focus on exposing at least 15 face-down cards per game
Use undo freely to experiment
Expected Win Rate: 5-10%

Intermediate (Games 16-50): Building Strategy

Goal: Win 10 games and develop strategic thinking
Start planning 3-4 moves ahead
Practice creating empty columns efficiently
Learn when to delay foundation moves
Expected Win Rate: 15-20%

Advanced (Games 51-150): Mastering Tactics

Goal: Win 30+ games with consistent strategy
Execute complex multi-move combinations
Recognize and avoid deadlock patterns
Optimize foundation timing
Expected Win Rate: 20-25%

Expert (150+ games): Elite Performance

Goal: Consistent 25-30% win rate
Plan 5-7 moves ahead automatically
Recognize winning and losing positions within first 20 moves
Optimize every decision for maximum options
Expected Win Rate: 25-30%

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Yukon different from Klondike?

Two major differences: (1) No stock pile - all 52 cards are dealt at the start, eliminating the luck element, and (2) The Yukon Move - you can move any face-up card with all cards on top of it, not just properly sequenced cards. This makes Yukon more strategic and complex than Klondike.

Is Yukon harder than Klondike?

Yes. Yukon has a lower win rate (25-30% vs 30-40%) because the tableau is larger (52 cards vs 28) and more complex. However, Yukon is more strategic since all cards are visible from the start. Many players find Yukon more satisfying because wins feel earned through planning rather than luck.

Can I move any card in Yukon?

You can move any face-up card along with all cards stacked on top of it. The card you're moving must still follow building rules (one rank higher, opposite color on the destination), but the cards moving with it don't need to be properly sequenced. This is the Yukon Move - the game's signature mechanic.

Should I play Klondike before Yukon?

It helps but isn't required. If you're comfortable with basic solitaire concepts (building descending sequences, alternating colors, foundations), you can start with Yukon. The Yukon Move is easy to learn. However, mastering Klondike first gives you a solid foundation for Yukon's added complexity.

What's a good win rate for Yukon?

Beginners: 5-10%. Intermediate: 15-20%. Advanced: 20-25%. Expert: 25-30%. If you're winning more than 30% consistently, you're in the elite tier of Yukon players. The game is challenging enough that even experts lose 70% of the time.

Are all Yukon deals winnable?

No. A significant portion of Yukon deals are mathematically impossible to win (estimated 20-30%). However, many "losses" are actually winnable deals played suboptimally. With perfect play, the win rate would be higher than the 25-30% achieved by skilled human players.

How long does a Yukon game take?

Average players: 12-18 minutes. Beginners: 15-25 minutes as they think through moves. Expert players: 8-12 minutes. The game naturally speeds up as you recognize patterns and make decisions faster.

Why is there no stock pile in Yukon?

The lack of a stock pile makes Yukon pure strategy. All 52 cards are visible (either face-up or in known face-down positions), eliminating the luck element of drawing from a stock pile. This design choice makes Yukon more challenging but also more satisfying - wins are earned through planning and skill.

Quick Tips for Your Next Game

            Expose face-down cards before organizing face-up cards
Focus on columns 5-7 first (they have the most face-down cards)
Create at least one empty column in the first 15 moves
Use the Yukon Move to access buried cards
Don't move 4-9 ranked cards to foundations early
Build long sequences when possible, but don't sacrifice card exposure
Plan 3-5 moves ahead before acting
Empty columns are gold - only fill them strategically
Watch for deadlock patterns and use undo to recover
Aces and Twos go to foundations immediately

        

🚀 Ready to Play?

Yukon Solitaire is the perfect challenge for players who want more strategy than Klondike but aren't quite ready for Russian Solitaire's brutal difficulty. The Yukon Move creates unique tactical opportunities, while the all-cards-visible design rewards careful planning over lucky draws.

Every game is a puzzle waiting to be solved. With practice, you'll develop the pattern recognition and strategic thinking needed to consistently win 25-30% of games. Each win will feel earned, and each loss will teach you something new.

Our implementation features smooth animations, unlimited undo, comprehensive statistics tracking, and a scoring system that rewards both speed and efficiency. Whether you're learning the basics or perfecting advanced techniques, Yukon Solitaire offers endless strategic depth.

🎴 Start Playing Yukon Solitaire Now

📚 Related Guides

Klondike Solitaire: Complete Strategy Guide - Master the classic version
Russian Solitaire: The Four-Suit Challenge - Take on the expert difficulty
FreeCell Solitaire: Advanced Techniques - Another strategy-focused variant
Spider Solitaire: The Ultimate Guide - Two-deck solitaire challenge
Scorpion Solitaire: Strategy Guide - Similar movement flexibility

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