What can go in an empty column in Solitaire?
Only a king, or a run of face-up cards headed by a king. Queens and lower cards can’t start an empty column, so clear one only when a king is ready to move in.
An empty tableau column is valuable, but it can only be filled with a king. You can move in:
- A king from the waste pile.
- A king from another tableau column, together with any cards built on top of it (see moving a group of cards).
- A king back down from a foundation, if you need it.
Any other card is refused, however useful it would be there.
When to empty a column
Clearing a column when no king is available wastes it. Clearing it when a king is sitting on top of face-down cards is one of the strongest moves in the game, because moving the king uncovers those cards. The Klondike tips guide covers choosing which king to move.
For practical play beyond this rule, read Klondike Solitaire Tips and Strategy.
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