Explore the visual family tree of 30+ solitaire variants. Click any node to discover its history, difficulty, and win probability.
The solitaire family tree is an interactive visualization mapping over 31 solitaire card game variants across 9 structural families. Games are grouped by shared mechanics — how cards are dealt, moved, and won — rather than by name alone. It helps players discover new games related to the ones they already love.
Hundreds of solitaire variants have been documented, but around 30–40 games make up the core canon most players encounter online and in print. This family tree covers the most popular and historically significant variants across 9 families: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Golf, Pyramid, Forty Thieves, Matching, Fan, and Unique Solitaire.
Klondike's closest relatives include Yukon (all cards dealt face-up, any sequence movable), Scorpion (same-suit sequences built within the tableau), Russian Solitaire (a strict same-suit Yukon variant), Double Klondike (two decks, nine columns), and Agnes (foundations start on a randomly drawn rank). All share the core Klondike principle of building foundations by suit from Ace to King.
FreeCell is widely considered the most skill-friendly solitaire — nearly 99% of deals are winnable with optimal play because all cards are visible from the start. Among layout games, Spider 1-Suit and TriPeaks offer high win rates for casual players. Golf and Pyramid are quick to learn but can be challenging to win consistently.