🎯 Hidden Gems Await
- ✓ Golf Solitaire: Lightning-fast gameplay, perfect for quick breaks
- ✓ Yukon: Klondike's strategic cousin with visible cards
- ✓ Forty Thieves: The ultimate patience test with 2 decks
- ✓ Scorpion: Spider's wilder sibling with unique rules
- ✓ Canfield: The gambler's choice with demon-level difficulty
Let's face it – most solitaire players never venture beyond Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell. But you're missing out on an entire universe of fascinating card games! After testing over 200 solitaire variants, we've discovered five exceptional games that deserve a spot in your regular rotation.
These aren't just random obscure games. Each one offers unique gameplay mechanics, fresh challenges, and that perfect balance of skill and luck that makes solitaire addictive. Ready to expand your horizons? Let's dive in!
1. Golf Solitaire ⛳
Easy to LearnWhat Makes It Special
Golf Solitaire is the Formula 1 of card games – it's all about speed and efficiency. Unlike traditional solitaire, there's no building on foundations. Instead, you're racing to clear the tableau by building up or down regardless of suit.
Basic Rules
- • 35 cards dealt in 7 columns of 5 cards each
- • Build up or down on the waste pile (K→A or A→K)
- • Suits don't matter – speed is everything
- • Win by clearing all tableau cards
Why You'll Love It
Perfect for: Quick 2-minute games during coffee breaks. The simplicity is deceptive – mastering the strategy takes practice!
Pro Tips
- 🎯 Always plan 3-4 moves ahead
- 🎯 Save Kings and Aces as "bridge" cards
- 🎯 Clear columns strategically for better access
Average Win Rate: 25-30% (Expert: 40%+)
2. Yukon Solitaire 🏔️
Medium DifficultyWhat Makes It Special
Imagine Klondike where all cards are visible from the start – that's Yukon! This transparency transforms the game from luck-based to pure strategy. Every decision matters when you can see all the consequences.
Basic Rules
- • All 52 cards dealt at start (no stock pile)
- • Move any face-up card sequence, regardless of order
- • Build down by alternating colors on tableau
- • Build up by suit on foundations
Why You'll Love It
Perfect for: Strategy lovers who hate losing to bad luck. With all cards visible, wins and losses are 100% on you!
Strategic Depth
- 🧠 Plan entire sequences before moving
- 🧠 Prioritize freeing buried Aces
- 🧠 Use temporary "parking" moves wisely
Average Win Rate: 80-85% (with perfect play: 95%+)
3. Forty Thieves 💎
Very ChallengingWhat Makes It Special
Also known as "Napoleon at St. Helena," this two-deck monster is the Dark Souls of solitaire. With 104 cards and strict building rules, it's a true test of patience and planning. Legend says Napoleon played this during his exile!
Basic Rules
- • Two full decks (104 cards total)
- • 40 cards in tableau (10 columns of 4)
- • Build down by suit (not just color!)
- • Only one card moves at a time
- • 8 foundation piles to complete
Why You'll Love It
Perfect for: Experienced players seeking the ultimate challenge. One win feels like conquering Everest!
Survival Tips
- ⚔️ Never waste an empty column
- ⚔️ Track both decks mentally
- ⚔️ Sometimes NOT moving is the right play
- ⚔️ Expect to lose... a lot
Average Win Rate: 5-10% (Expert: 15-20%)
4. Scorpion Solitaire 🦂
Medium-HardWhat Makes It Special
Think of Scorpion as Spider's rebellious cousin. You're building complete 13-card sequences (K→A) in suit, but with a twist – you can move any face-up sequence regardless of order. It's chaotic, strategic, and addictive!
Basic Rules
- • 49 cards dealt in 7 columns
- • Build K→A sequences in suit
- • Move any face-up cards together
- • 3 reserve cards for emergencies
- • Complete sequences disappear
Why You'll Love It
Perfect for: Spider Solitaire fans wanting more flexibility. The ability to move messy sequences creates unique strategic opportunities!
Winning Strategies
- 🎪 Embrace the chaos – messy is okay!
- 🎪 Focus on exposing face-down cards first
- 🎪 Save reserve cards for deadlocks
- 🎪 Build multiple sequences simultaneously
Average Win Rate: 15-20% (Expert: 30%+)
5. Canfield Solitaire 🎰
Demon DifficultyWhat Makes It Special
Created by casino owner Richard Canfield in the 1890s, this was designed to be nearly impossible to beat. Players would pay $50 to play and earn $5 per card on foundations. Most lost money – and you'll see why!
Basic Rules
- • 13-card reserve pile (the "demon")
- • Foundation starts with random card value
- • Build down alternating colors on tableau
- • Continuous stock recycling
- • Any card can fill empty tableau spaces
Why You'll Love It
Perfect for: Thrill seekers who love gambling-style games. The rotating foundation base keeps every game fresh and unpredictable!
Survival Guide
- 💀 The reserve pile is your lifeline
- 💀 Empty columns are gold – use wisely
- 💀 Sometimes cycling stock is the only way
- 💀 Accept that most games are unwinnable
Average Win Rate: 3-5% (Expert: 8-10%)
*In Canfield's casino, average payout was 5-6 cards = $25-30 loss!
Quick Comparison Guide
| Game | Difficulty | Time/Game | Win Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf ⛳ | Easy | 2-3 min | 25-30% | Quick breaks |
| Yukon 🏔️ | Medium | 5-10 min | 80-85% | Strategy lovers |
| Forty Thieves 💎 | Very Hard | 15-20 min | 5-10% | Challenge seekers |
| Scorpion 🦂 | Med-Hard | 8-12 min | 15-20% | Spider fans |
| Canfield 🎰 | Demon | 10-15 min | 3-5% | Masochists 😅 |
🎮 Where to Play These Games
Best Websites
- ✓ WorldOfSolitaire.com - Has all 5 variants
- ✓ CardGames.io - Great for Golf & Yukon
- ✓ Solitaired.com - Excellent Forty Thieves
Mobile Apps
- 📱 Solitaire Collection (iOS) - Premium quality
- 🤖 250+ Solitaire (Android) - Free with ads
- 💻 Pretty Good Solitaire - Desktop king
Frequently Asked Questions
Which variant should I try first?
Start with Golf Solitaire – it's easy to learn but hard to master. Once comfortable, try Yukon for a strategic challenge or Scorpion if you enjoy Spider Solitaire.
Are these games available offline?
Yes! Most solitaire apps include these variants for offline play. Pretty Good Solitaire (PC/Mac) and Solitaire Collection (mobile) are excellent offline options.
Why haven't I heard of these games before?
Microsoft's inclusion of Klondike, Spider, and FreeCell made them household names. These other variants, while historically significant, never got the same mainstream exposure.
Which is the hardest variant to master?
Forty Thieves and Canfield compete for the crown. Forty Thieves requires more planning, while Canfield is more luck-dependent. Both will test your patience to the limit!
🌟 Ready to Expand Your Solitaire Universe?
These five games represent just a fraction of the amazing solitaire variants waiting to be discovered. Each offers unique challenges and rewards that make them worth adding to your regular rotation.