When you imagine a solitaire game, the one that immediately comes to mind is Klondike. Since it is the most popular version, it is no surprise that itâs considered the standard version of the solitaire game. If you have played it for far too long, it becomes progressively less exciting. However, you have other interesting variants, such as Yukon Solitaire.
Yukon’s gameplay is different from Klondike’s. In this version, the players must deal with all the cards at the beginning of the game. This means no stockpile is available during gameplay. Another significant difference is that you can move cards even if the stack doesnât descend in a numerical sequence. Like most Solitaire variants, the objective in Yukon is to transfer all the cards from the tableau piles (in sequences from Ace to King) onto the four foundation piles.
Let’s learn about the basic Yukon Solitaire rules, gameplay, and strategies to win.
Card Layout in Yukon Solitaire
Setting up the game slightly differs from Klondike, but itâs also pretty easy. Firstly, you need one deck of fifty-two cards, minus the Jokers. Subsequently, you can proceed to create a tableau with seven columns. Remember that the final card arrangement post-setup needs to have the following card numbers: one card in the first tableau, six cards in the second tableau, seven in the third, eight in the fourth, nine in the fifth, ten in the sixth, and eleven in the seventh.
The first cards dealt in the seven columns should all be facing down except the one in the first tableau column. Also, the cards dealt face down and up differ based on the column. This is the sequence to follow while laying out cards in the seven columns;
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There should be one card facing up in the first tableau
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The second tableau should have five cards facing up and one facing down
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The third tableau should have five cards facing up and two facing down
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The fourth tableau should have five cards facing up and three facing down
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The fifth tableau should have five cards facing up and four facing down
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The sixth tableau should have five cards facing up and five facing down
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The seventh tableau should have five cards facing up and six cards facing down
Once you finish the tableau, move to the foundation piles. In Yukon Solitaire, the game always starts with empty foundation piles. During setup, all you need is room for four stacks of cards.
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How To Play Yukon Solitaire Game?
Let’s learn how to play Yukon solitaire card game!
The Objective
The goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles, where you build them in ascending order from Ace to King and by suit. Organize tableau columns in descending order and alternating colors.
Moves Allowed
Despite the depth, you can move any face-up card from one column to another if it helps create a descending sequence in alternate colors. All the covering cards are transferred alongside as a unit, and they donât necessarily have to be in sequence. The move is valid if the connection between the two columns results in an alternating-color, descending sequence.
Gameplay
You can transfer an Ace to one of the four foundation piles as soon as it becomes available. Build the foundations in ascending suit sequence from A to K. Fill an empty column only with a King or a cluster of cards led by a King. Once a face-down card is revealed, it is flipped over, rendering it available for play. It is ideal to release the face-down cards as early as possible.
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You can play only the face-up cards.
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When a face-down card is uncovered in the tableau, it must be turned face-up to become eligible for play in the next move.
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Each foundation should follow the same suit.
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The foundation piles should have a sequence starting with Aces and ending with only Kings.
You can move groups of cards altogether â the cards beneath the one youâre moving neednât be in any order, except that you should build the starting and target cards in an alternating color sequence. For instance, a group that begins with a Black 3 can be moved atop a Red 4, and the cards below the Black 3 can vary.
The game is won when all cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles, following the suit and sequence rules.
Yukon Solitaire Strategy and Tips
The first and foremost strategy while playing the Yukon Solitaire card game is patience. This Klondike Solitaire variation doesnât warrant speed unless you prepare to resume gameplay with a timer. It makes sense to introspect all possible moves before executing one. Move all Aces to the foundation piles as quickly as possible during the game.
It would be best to try and get all cards to face up in the game’s early minutes. The more cards you expose, the easier it gets to switch up your strategy and move cards to the foundations. You might have to initially play within the seven columns to reveal cards and, later on, move cards to the foundation stacks.
If no other moves can help reveal the face-down cards, you should consider transferring cards to the foundation piles. Of course, you need to start with Aces and subsequently send any twos you get your hands on.
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FAQs
What makes Yukon Solitaire game different from normal Solitaire?
You may move one or more cards from one tableau pile to another. Move a cluster of faceup cards together within the tableau, even when they are not in order. This is the primary difference between Yukon and Klondike (or ânormalâ Solitaire). Also, no stockpile exists when the game is in progress.
Is Yukon Solitaire hard?
Being a mix of several solitaire card games, Yukon is one of the most challenging variants and one of the most exciting puzzle games to win. It is a fun card game requiring the skill of planning a detailed sequence of moves. It is somewhat unusual compared with other solitaire games as it lets you move groups of cards while not in sequence.
It isnât practically possible to win all the games of Yukon Solitaire, but a good player can win over 80% of the games they play.
Is it possible to win the Yukon solitaire game?
Yes, it is possible to win Yukon Solitaire if you carefully plan your moves. The key is to strategically organize tableau columns in descending order and by alternating colors and to move cards to the foundation piles in the correct suit sequence from Ace to King.
What is the win rate for Yukon Solitaire?
The win rate for Yukon Solitaire varies depending on the specific rules and difficulty settings of the game. On average, the win rate is around 30-50% for players who follow optimal strategies and understand the game’s mechanics well.
How to deal cards for Yukon Solitaire?
To deal cards in Yukon Solitaire, place 7-cards columns, including one face-up card on the first column, two on the second, and so on, up to seven cards in the last column.
