RelaxPlays

Klondike Draw 1 vs Draw 3

The only difference between the two is how many cards you turn over from the deck at a time, but it changes the game a lot.

▶ Play Draw 1▶ Play Draw 3

Klondike Solitaire with large playing cards fanned on a green felt table: Ace of spades, King of hearts, Queen of diamonds, Jack of clubs and 10 of hearts

Draw 1: every card is in reach

In Draw 1 you turn over one card from the deck at a time, and you can go through the deck as often as you like. Every card in the deck will be playable at some point, so you have much more control. Most deals can be won with careful play, which makes Draw 1 the relaxed, friendly choice and a good way to learn.

Draw 3: the classic challenge

In Draw 3 you turn over three cards at once and can only play the top one. The cards underneath only become available after you play the top card, and the groups of three shift when you play from the waste. Some cards can stay buried for several passes through the deck. That makes planning matter much more: sometimes it is better not to play a card so that the next pass lines up differently. Draw 3 is how many people played on the classic Windows version.

Which should I choose?

Both modes here have their own set of computer-checked winnable deals, and unlimited undo, so even Draw 3 never ends in a hopeless position. The Daily Deal is always Draw 1.

Frequently asked questions

Is Draw 3 harder than Draw 1?

Yes. Because you can only reach every third card, fewer deals can be won and planning matters more.

Can I switch between Draw 1 and Draw 3?

Yes. Choose on the start screen or in Settings. The choice applies to your next deal.

Are Draw 3 deals winnable too?

Yes. With Winnable deals on, Draw 3 deals come from a separate set that was solved in Draw 3 mode.

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