Cannot drop, your card needs to be of an opposite suit colour
Cannot drop, your card needs to be one rank lower
Cannot move multiple cards to foundation
Card suit doesn't match foundation pile suit
Card can only be dropped on top of a card pile
Cannot deal cards when there are empty tableau piles
You can only move {0} card(s) at a time based on the current free cells and tableau
The cards don't add up to 13 and cannot be moved
The card is inaccessible and move cannot be performed
Cards must be in sequential order (one higher or lower)
Russian Solitaire
Russian Solitaire – A Strategic Solitaire Classic with a Twist
Welcome to Russian Solitaire – a unique and challenging variation of the beloved classic Solitaire card game. Played by enthusiasts who crave a deeper level of strategy, Russian Solitaire will test your patience, planning skills, and persistence. Dive into this exciting version directly in your browser with no downloads required, only at SolitaireX.
What Is Russian Solitaire?
Russian Solitaire is a single-player card game that uses a standard 52-card deck and shares some similarities with Yukon Solitaire and Klondike (Classic) Solitaire, but with a few key twists that make it more challenging and engaging. Cards are arranged into seven tableau piles, but unlike in classic solitaire, you can move groups of cards regardless of their sequence, provided the top card matches the proper suit and descending rank. This leads to more opportunities—and tougher decisions.
How to Play Russian Solitaire
- Setup: The game starts with seven tableau columns. The first pile has one card, the second two, and so on, up to seven cards in the last column. All cards are face up.
- Objective: Move all cards to the four foundation piles, sorted by suit and in ascending order from Ace to King.
- Tableau Rules: Cards can be moved within the tableau in descending order and matching suits only (e.g., 8♠ on 9♠). You can move stacks of cards as long as they follow the same rule.
- Empty Spaces: Only Kings (or a correctly sequenced group starting with a King) can be placed in empty tableau spaces.
- No Stock Pile: There is no draw pile or waste pile, which means all your moves must be made directly from the tableau.
This strict adherence to suit-based stacking makes Russian Solitaire considerably harder than many other solitaire versions, but that’s part of its appeal.
Key Differences Between Russian Solitaire and Classic Solitaire
| Feature | Classic Solitaire (Klondike) | Russian Solitaire |
|---|---|---|
| Card Movement | Alternate colors, descending order | Same suit, descending order |
| Face-down Cards | Many cards start face-down | All cards are face-up |
| Stock/Waste Pile | Yes | No |
| Empty Spaces Rule | Only Kings can fill empty columns | Only Kings can fill empty columns |
| Difficulty | Moderate | High |
Why Play Russian Solitaire at SolitaireX?
- ✅ No download or registration required
- ✅ Beautiful, clean interface optimized for desktop and mobile
- ✅ Undo and hint options to help learn and improve
- ✅ Free to play anytime, anywhere
Whether you’re a solitaire veteran or looking to explore new card game variations, SolitaireX brings you a polished and rewarding Russian Solitaire experience.
Ready to test your skills?
👉 Play Russian Solitaire now at SolitaireX.io
Case Studies
All figures below come directly from our database. Using first-party data ensures every insight is evidence-based, up-to-date, and privacy-respectful.
| Game Tier | Stand-out Titles | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Wins | Spider (1 Suit), Hole-in-One, TriPeaks | 70–84% |
| Fair Challenges | Solitaire (Draw 1) – 913 k plays FreeCell, Golf |
45–63% |
| Expert-Level | Spider (4 Suits), Forty Thieves, Double Scorpion | ≤11% |
Curious which moves turn the odds in your favor? Explore all the data & strategies →
What people say about us
Interview with Beverley Walker-Daury
At 87, Beverley Walker-Daury shares how SolitaireX brings joy, companionship, and purpose to her days in a retirement home.
Player Interview: Poul Andersen
Poul Andersen shares how playing SolitaireX helps him keep his brain sharp and active.
Player Interview: Peter Gross
Peter Gross, 81, shares how SolitaireX became his go-to place for relaxing Freecell games and friendly competition.
Player Spotlight: St0Sh0’s Record-Breaking Runs on SolitaireX
We sit down with speed-solitaire sensation St0Sh0 to talk record times, favorite variants, and why SolitaireX is his go-to card-game hub.
Fresh from the SolitaireX Blog
Sharpen Your Mind (and Enjoy It): Solitaire, Sudoku & Mahjong for Everyday Brain Fitness
Short puzzle sessions with solitaire, sudoku, and mahjong can sharpen focus, support memory, and ease stress. These timeless games turn everyday breaks into light but powerful brain workouts.
Track Your Spider Solitaire Progress: Build Your Own Win-Rate System
This article is the final part of a Spider Solitaire mastery series, focusing on how to track your games and build a personal win-rate system. By logging key metrics, spotting patterns, and reflecting on notes, it shows how players can turn simple records into powerful insights that boost skill, confidence, and long-term enjoyment.
Spider Solitaire Strategy Deep Dive: From Mixed Runs to Clean Wins
This article is a deep-dive strategy guide for Spider Solitaire (Part 2) aimed at intermediate and advanced players. It builds on the basics from Part 1 and focuses on how to turn messy mid-game layouts into structured, winnable positions.
Solitaire Variations Glossary: Essential Terms by Gameplay Category
Explore the ultimate glossary of solitaire terms and concepts, explained in clear and simple language. From tableau, foundations, and free cells to popular solitaire variations like Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, and TriPeaks, this guide helps beginners and enthusiasts understand the rules, moves, and key strategies of solitaire.
Latest guides crafted by Stoyan Shopov and Kalin Nikolov
Golf Solitaire Mastery: Strategy, Stats & Flow
Deal 7 columns of 5 face‑up cards (35 total). The remaining 17 cards*form the stock; flip the first stock card to start the waste. You may move only exposed tableau cards, and only if the rank is exactly one higher or lower than the waste top. Suits don’t matter. When no move exists, flip a new waste card. Clear all tableau cards to win.
TriPeaks Solitaire Mastery: Strategy & Analytics
Two peaks are dust; one stubborn ridge remains. Your waste shows a 9. The tableau flashes 10‑J‑10‑9‑8 like a heartbeat. You nudge the 10, feel the cadence lock in, and—without overthinking—trace a neat descent that crumbles the last peak. That tiny spark of *flow* is why TriPeaks hooks serious players: rhythm, restraint, and the rush of a run that arrives exactly on time.
Pyramid Solitaire Mastery: Strategy, Stats & Joy
Picture the pyramid down to its last stubborn tier: a Queen pinned beneath a ridge, a lone Ace on the waste, and a King begging to be burned for tempo. Heartbeat, breath, click—then the whole structure yields in a rush. If you’ve hit that razor‑edge finale, you already know Pyramid’s secret: small decisions, made in the right order, change everything.
FreeCell Solitaire Mastery: Strategy & Analytics Guide
I have a 15 years personal, lived experience—picture a scene built from thousands of session logs and notes from serious players: It’s late, and the board looks jammed. You clear a single column, free one cell, and suddenly a 9♣‑8♦‑7♣‑6♦ chain glides into place, untying the knot you stared at for ten minutes. The rush isn’t luck—it’s the quiet pleasure of a plan snapping into focus. When did FreeCell last feel less like “killing time” and more like practicing a craft you can actually master?
Media About Us
Research: What Tech Do Senior Solitaire Players Use? A Data‑Rich Look
hashnode.dev
How SolitaireX.io Powers Seeded Deals and Replays Across 70 Solitaire Variations
dev.to
How: Modern Libraries with Classic Games
Browser Based Online Game Directory
SolitaireX.io has been featured on bbogd.com, where players worldwide find Browser Based Online Games
8599962681471219