Australian Patience - Play Online Free
Australian Patience is a Klondike variant where all tableau cards are dealt face-up, giving you complete information from the start. However, the same-suit building requirement makes it more challenging than standard Klondike. This combination of full visibility and strict building rules creates a deeply strategic game.
How to Play Australian Patience
Setup
Deal 28 cards face-up into 7 columns of 4 cards each. Unlike Klondike, every card is visible from the beginning. The remaining 24 cards form the stock pile.
Objective
Move all 52 cards to the 4 foundation piles, building each by suit in ascending order from Ace to King.
Rules
- All 28 tableau cards are dealt face-up — full information from the start.
- Build tableau columns in descending order with same-suit cards only (not alternating colors).
- Any card or valid sequence can fill an empty tableau column.
- Draw one card at a time from the stock, with unlimited redeals.
- Build foundation piles from Ace to King by suit.
- Groups of same-suit descending sequences can be moved together.
Strategy Tips
- Use the full card visibility to plan several moves ahead before acting.
- Same-suit building is very restrictive — prioritize creating empty columns as workspace.
- Draw from the stock only when you have exhausted all tableau moves.
- Look for cards that are blocking the suit you need and plan how to free them.
- Empty columns are extremely valuable — do not fill them without a clear plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Australian Patience different from Klondike?
Two major differences: all cards are dealt face-up (giving full information), and tableau building requires same-suit cards instead of alternating colors. The full visibility makes planning easier, but same-suit building is much more restrictive.
Is Australian Patience harder than Klondike?
It depends on the player. The same-suit building rule makes moves more limited, but having all cards visible allows for deeper strategic planning. Experienced players often find it more satisfying than Klondike.
Why is it called Australian Patience?
The game originates from Australia and is one of the most popular solitaire variants in that region. It is sometimes simply called "Aussie Patience" or "Outback Patience."