The Definitive Guide to Yukon Solitaire: Layout, Movement, Tips

Introduction to Yukon Solitaire Card Game

When one imagines a solitaire game, the one that immediately comes to mind is Klondike. Since it is the most popular version, it is no surprise that it’s considered the standard version of the solitaire game. If you’ve played it for far too long and it becomes progressively less exciting, you can acquaint yourself with new variants such as Yukon Solitaire.

The gameplay of Yukon is different in comparison to Klondike. In this version, the players must deal 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 doesn’t 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.

Card Layout in Yukon Solitaire

Setting up the game is slightly different from Klondike, but it’s 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;

  • There should be one card facing up in the first tableau
  • The second tableau should have five cards facing up and one facing down
  • The third tableau should have five cards facing up and two facing down
  • The fourth tableau should have five cards facing up and three facing down
  • The fifth tableau should have five cards facing up and four facing down
  • The sixth tableau should have five cards facing up and five facing down
  • The seventh tableau should have five cards facing up and six cards facing down

Once you are finished with the tableau, you should move over 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.

Read More: How to Play Pyramid Solitaire

How Cards can be Moved in Yukon Solitaire

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 don’t necessarily have to be in sequence. The move is valid as long as the connection between the two columns results in an alternating-color, descending sequence.

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.

  1. You can play only the face-up cards.
  2. When a face-down card is uncovered in the tableau, it needs to be turned face-up to become eligible for play in the next move.
  3. Each foundation should follow the same suit.
  4. The foundation piles should have the sequence starting with Aces and concluding with only Kings.

You can move groups of cards altogether – the cards beneath the one you’re moving needn’t 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.

Yukon Solitaire Strategy and Tips

The first and foremost strategy while playing Yukon Solitaire is to be patient. This Klondike Solitaire variation doesn’t warrant speed unless you prepare to resume gameplay with a timer. It makes sense to introspect all possible moves before executing one. During the game, try to move all Aces to the foundation piles as quickly as possible.

It would be best to try and get all cards to be facing up in the early minutes of the game. 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.

Read More: All About Free Cell Solitaire

FAQs

What makes Yukon Solitaire 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 “normal” 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 isn’t practically possible to win all games of Yukon Solitaire, but a good player can win over 80% of the games they play.

The Bottomline

You can play Yukon Solitaire directly on several web pages or download the respective apps. If you wish to check out a different version of the solitaire game, play Cube Solitaire or Spider Solitaire (1-suit) on the MPL Pro app. It offers fast-paced 1v1 battles and tournaments with amazing prizes for the winners!

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