The Top 10 Most Difficult Solitaire Games, Backed by Data

On Solitaired, over a billion Solitaire games are played a year, and we track how many games are started and how many games are won. This gives us unique insight on what the most difficult Solitaire games are based on win percentage. If you’re looking for a challenge, of the 50 most popular Solitaire games, we’ve listed the most challenging ones below.

1. Quadruple Yukon Solitaire - Win rate: 2.36%
2. Las Vegas Solitaire - Win rate: 2.45%
3. Russian Solitaire - Win rate: 3.00%
4. Double Russian Solitaire - Win rate: 3.77%
5. Batsford Solitaire - Win rate: 4.14%
6. Alaska Solitaire - Win rate: 5.08%
7. Spider Solitaire 4 Suits - Win rate: 6.08%
8. Scorpion Solitaire - Win rate: 6.28%
9. Canfield Solitaire - Win rate: 8.94%
10. Klondike Solitaire Turn 3 - Win rate: 11.08%

1. Quadruple Yukon Solitaire

Win rate: 2.36%

Quadruple Yukon is a variation of Yukon Solitaire played with 4 decks of cards, or 208 cards. In Yukon Solitaire games, there is no stockpile, and all cards are placed in the tableau. Unlike Klondike, you can move a group of cards in the tableau regardless of weather they are sequenced, as long as the top card of that group is placed on a card of the opposite color and one rank higher.

As you add more decks to Yukon Solitaire, the game increases in difficulty. Traditional Yukon Solitaire has a win rate of 13.69%, while Double Yukon and Triple Yukon have win rates of 10.28% and 3.89%, respectively.

2. Las Vegas Solitaire

Win rate: 2.45%

Las Vegas Solitaire is a version of Klondike where you wager 52 coins, but earn 5 coins for every card moved to the foundation. The game is particularly challenging because you only have one pass through the deck, leading to a low win rate.

Failing to move all the cards to the foundation doesn’t necessarily mean you lose in Las Vegas Solitaire. Your goal is to make more money than you wagered. Moving 11 cards earns you 55 coins and covers the 52 coins you bet.

3. Russian Solitaire

Win rate: 3.00%

Russian Solitaire is another Yukon variant. Unlike Yukon Solitaire, you can move cards in the tableau on top of another card only of the same suit and one rank higher, as opposed to just the opposite color. This limits your moves by half, making the game particularly challenging.

4. Double Russian Solitaire

Win rate: 3.77%

Double Russian Solitaire, which has two decks of cards, is slightly easier than Russian Solitaire but nevertheless a challenging game. In some games, with more decks of cards, you have more options to move your cards, improving your chances of winning the game.

5. Batsford Solitaire

Win rate: 4.14%

Batsford Solitaire has the same rules as Double Klondike Solitaire, except you have a reserve pile exclusively for Kings, where you can also sequence cards. This rule makes the game easier than Double Klondike. Most users who start a game of Batsford Solitaire do not end up winning.

6. Alaska Solitaire

Win rate: 5.08%

Alaska Solitaire is similar to Russian Solitaire, except you can sequence cards in either ascending or descending order by suit. Because you have more sequencing moves, the game has a slightly higher win rate than Russian Solitaire.

7. Spider Solitaire 4 Suits

Win rate: 6.08%

Spider Solitaire 4 Suits is played with two decks of cards. Your goal is to organize all cards in descending order by suit in the tableau twice. Every time you organize a suit in descending order, those cards are then moved to the foundation. A card can be sequenced as long it is placed on top of a card one rank higher of any suit. If you like Spider Solitaire, and are looking for a challenge, this is the game for you. If you’re new to the game, try Spider Solitaire 1 Suit, which has a win rate of 52.29%.

8. Scorpion Solitaire

Win rate: 6.28%

Scorpion Solitaire is a combination of Yukon Solitaire and Spider Solitaire. Similar to Yukon, an unsequenced group of cards can be moved together if the top card is placed above of a card one rank higher of the same suit. Similar to Spider, you must arrange cards in descending order from King to Ace in the tableau to move that suit to the foundation. If you like Spider and Yukon games, this is the game for you.

9. Canfield Solitaire

Win rate: 8.94%

Canfield Solitaire has some unique characteristics. One card is dealt into the foundation, which will be the starting card to build cards in ascending order by suit. Along with the stockpile, there is also a reserve pile, whose cards can be placed in the tableau or be placed in an empty tableau column. Lastly, similar to Klondike, cards are sequenced in descending order, alternating by color.

10. Klondike Solitaire Turn 3

Win rate: 11.08%

Klondike Turn 3 is Classic Solitaire where three cards are dealt from the stockpile at a time. Because you can only move every 3 cards from the stockpile into the tableau or foundation, your moves are much more limited compared to Klondike Turn 1, which has a win rate of 33.0%. If you typically play Turn 1, this game is a natural progression if you’re looking for a more challenging version.