How Double Klondike works
Everything you know about Klondike still applies. There are just more cards, more columns and more piles to fill.
- Two decks, 104 cards, shuffled together.
- Nine columns of 1 to 9 cards, the last card of each face up. That is 45 cards on the table and 59 in the stock.
- Build down in alternating colours, and move any face-up run together.
- Empty columns take a King, or a run that starts with a King.
- Eight foundations, each built from Ace to King in one suit. Two Aces of the same suit can start two piles.
Use the Draw 1 / Draw 3 switch above the table. The draw 3 version is a much harder game. The rules of Klondike are in how to play solitaire.
What changes with two decks
More ways to move
With two copies of every card, there is almost always a second 7 of hearts if the first one is buried. Many more moves are available, so you rarely feel stuck early on.
Kings and empty columns
There are eight Kings to place and nine columns. An empty column fills quickly, so do not empty one unless a King is ready.
A long game
A win means moving 104 cards. Expect a game to take several times as long as a normal Klondike deal, and use Undo freely.
Tips
- Play the Aces and 2s to the foundations at once. With eight foundations there is always a home for them.
- Build the foundations evenly. Do not race one suit ahead.
- Check both copies of a card before you commit. Two cards of the same rank and colour are interchangeable.
- Look under the long columns first. They hide the most cards.
Other games
Frequently asked questions
What is Double Klondike?
Double Klondike is Klondike played with two decks, 104 cards. You deal nine columns instead of seven, and you build eight foundation piles, one for each suit in each deck. Some people call it Gargantua.
How many columns does Double Klondike have?
Nine. The first column has 1 card and the ninth has 9, which is 45 cards. The other 59 cards form the stock.
How many foundations are there in Double Klondike?
Eight, two for every suit. Each one is built from Ace up to King in one suit.
Is Double Klondike easier than Klondike?
It is usually easier to win, because with two of every card there are more cards that fit on a column and more ways to free a hidden card. It takes longer to finish, since there are twice as many cards to move.
How many times can I go through the stock?
As many as you like. The stock goes back to the start when you click it empty, and this site takes points off for each pass.