Doodle Cub"Solitaire" covers a whole family of patience games, and each one feels different. If you want the classic, play Klondike. For long, thoughtful sessions, Spider. For pure planning with no luck, FreeCell. For matching instead of stacking, Mahjong solitaire. All four are free on Doodle Cub, run in your browser with no download, and use deals that can always be won. Here is how they compare.
Klondike: the one everyone knows
Seven columns, a stock to draw from, and four foundations built from Ace to King. You build down in alternating colours and dig out the hidden cards. Draw 1 is relaxed; Draw 3 makes you plan your passes through the stock.
Play it if: you want a familiar game for ten minutes. Where: Crayon Solitaire, with Draw 1 or 3, Scored or Relaxed modes, a Daily Deal and Vegas mode once you have won a few Expert deals. Learn more: Klondike rules and Klondike tips.
Spider: the long game
Two decks, ten columns and a stock you deal ten cards at a time. Cards stack on any suit, but only same-suit runs move together, and a full King-to-Ace run in one suit leaves the table. With one suit it is friendly; with four, it is one of the hardest solitaire games around.
Play it if: you like a game that rewards patience and takes 15 to 30 minutes. Where: Spider Crayon, with 1, 2 or 4 suits, stars for beating par and a web that grows with every run you complete. Learn more: How to win Spider solitaire.
FreeCell: all cards face up
Every card is dealt face up into eight columns, and four free cells give you room to park cards. Because you can see everything, FreeCell is almost entirely skill: nearly every deal can be won if you plan.
Play it if: you enjoy puzzles more than luck. Where: FreeCell Doodle, with Microsoft-compatible deal numbers, a par on every deal and Tight and Brutal tiers with fewer free cells. Learn more: FreeCell rules and FreeCell strategy.
Mahjong solitaire: matching tiles
No cards at all: you clear a layout of mahjong tiles by matching free pairs. A tile is free when nothing covers it and its left or right side is open. The classic layout is the 144-tile Turtle.
Play it if: you want something calmer and more visual. Where: Mahjong Garden, with 48 layouts in six gardens, combos, par times and a Daily layout. Learn more: How to play Mahjong solitaire.
Side by side
| Game | Luck vs skill | Typical game | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike | Some luck | 5–10 minutes | A familiar break |
| Spider (1 suit) | Mostly skill | 10–20 minutes | Relaxed long sessions |
| Spider (4 suits) | Skill and patience | 20–40 minutes | A real challenge |
| FreeCell | Almost all skill | 5–15 minutes | Planners |
| Mahjong solitaire | Some luck | 5–15 minutes | Calm matching |
What makes a solitaire game worth playing
A few things separate good solitaire games from frustrating ones:
- Winnable deals. Random Klondike and Spider deals can be impossible. All four Doodle Cub games check or build their deals so there is always a way to win.
- Undo and hints. Useful for learning, and each game lets you choose whether they cost points.
- A daily challenge. The same deal for everyone, with a streak to keep.
- Saving. A reload or a closed tab shouldn't lose your game; these come back paused.
- Phone support. Big enough cards and tap-to-move, so you can play on the go.
Playing on a phone
All four games work on phones and tablets. Tap a card to send it to its best spot, or drag it. Spider Crayon arranges its ten columns in two rows on upright phones so the cards stay readable, and Mahjong Garden gives every free tile a large tap target with a loupe on small screens.
Which should you play first?
New to solitaire: start with Klondike Draw 1. Know Klondike already: try FreeCell, and you may never go back. Want a long session tonight: Spider with two suits. Want something different: Mahjong solitaire. All of them are in the solitaire games collection.