What Is Yukon Solitaire?
Yukon Solitaire looks close to Klondike at first glance, then it removes the stock pile and changes everything. All cards enter the tableau at the start, and many are already face up. The key twist is group movement: you can move a face-up card with all cards below it, even when that lower group is not ordered. That rule creates bold rescues, sudden reversals, and deep tableau planning. Begin a Yukon deal and uncover the buried cards.
How to Play Yukon Solitaire
- Start with seven tableau columns and no stock pile. The full deck is already on the table.
- Build tableau piles downward by alternating color.
- Move any face-up card onto a valid target, carrying every card below it as a group.
- Reveal face-down cards by moving the cards that cover them.
- Build four foundations upward by suit from Ace to King.
- Win when every card reaches the foundations.
Basic Rules
- Yukon uses one standard 52-card deck.
- There is no stock and no waste pile.
- Tableau building follows descending rank and alternating color.
- A movable group does not need to be internally ordered; only the moving card and destination card must fit.
- Empty columns usually accept Kings or groups headed by Kings.
- Foundations build upward by suit from Ace through King.
Strategy Tips for Beginners
- Reveal face-down cards early. Since no stock exists, hidden tableau cards are your only unknown supply.
- Use loose group movement to move blockers. A messy stack can still travel if its top card fits the destination.
- Open a King space before moving a King-headed group. Empty columns are too valuable to waste.
- Do not rush every Ace upward. Sometimes a low card helps hold a tableau sequence together until a hidden card opens.
- Study color chains before moving a large group. One dramatic move can block several useful cards beneath it.
Real Examples of Gameplay
Loose Group Move
A red 8 sits above a Queen and a 3. A black 9 is open elsewhere. You can move the entire red-8 group onto the black 9, even though the Queen and 3 do not follow sequence.
Opening a Hidden Card
A face-down card sits under a black Jack. Move the Jack group onto a red Queen. The newly revealed card may become a foundation move or another tableau link.
King Space Timing
You clear a column while a red King group waits. Move the King group only if it frees buried cards or creates a better route to an Ace.
Variations of Yukon Solitaire
- Klondike Solitaire: Uses a stock pile and stricter ordered group movement.
- Russian Solitaire: A close Yukon relative that builds tableau piles by suit instead of alternating color.
- FreeCell: Also gives full information, but uses free cells rather than loose group movement.
Why People Love Yukon Solitaire
- Every card starts on the table, so players can plan without waiting for stock draws.
- Loose group movement creates surprising saves.
- The game rewards bold tableau reshaping.
- Yukon feels open, but careless large moves can still lock the board.
Play Yukon Solitaire Online for Free
Play Yukon Solitaire online for free and practice reading the whole tableau. The no-stock setup makes every visible card important. Move groups, reveal hidden cards, and build the foundations at your own pace.
Comparison
| Version | Difficulty | Players | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | Hard | 1 | 8 to 18 min |
| Klondike | Medium | 1 | 5 to 15 min |
| Russian Solitaire | Very Hard | 1 | 10 to 25 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yukon Solitaire have a stock pile?
No. The entire deck is dealt into the tableau at the start.
Can I move an unordered group?
Yes. The top card of the moving group must fit the destination, but the cards below it can be out of order.
What is the best Yukon strategy?
Prioritize moves that reveal face-down cards. Hidden cards are the main source of progress.
Is Yukon harder than Klondike?
Yukon gives more information, but the tableau can jam quickly. Many players find it harder at first.
Start Playing Now
Yukon Solitaire gives you control from the first deal. Use group movement to open buried cards, protect King spaces, and build foundations carefully. Start a free game now.