Whitehead Solitaire

What is Whitehead Solitaire?

Whitehead Solitaire is a Klondike variant with three unusual rule changes working together: all cards are dealt face-up (no hidden cards), tableau sequences build by the same color (red on red, black on black — not alternating), and moved sequences must be entirely same-suit runs (not just same color). The face-up start eliminates all hidden-information uncertainty, while the same-color and same-suit movement rules create stricter sequence constraints than standard Klondike.

Full rules

One 52-card deck. Seven tableau columns dealt in Klondike triangle (1–7 cards) — all cards face-up. Foundations build upward by suit from Ace to King. Tableau sequences build downward by same color (a red card on any lower-rank red card; a black card on any lower-rank black card). A sequence can move as a unit only if all its cards are the same suit (a same-suit run). Only Kings fill empty columns. Stock deals one card at a time; waste recycles once.

The same-color, same-suit combination

Same-color building (red on red, black on black) allows twice as many destinations per card compared to alternating-color Klondike — any same-color card one rank higher is valid. But the same-suit movement restriction means long sequences only move as a unit if they are monochrome and monosuit. Building a long red sequence with both hearts and diamonds mixed together creates a sequence that looks useful but cannot move as a unit.

The strategic tension: same-color building creates sequences easily, but those sequences may be unmovable if they span two suits. Maintaining suit purity within color groups is the primary discipline.

Read the Whitehead strategy guide →

Complete information advantage

With all cards face-up from the start, Whitehead removes the primary uncertainty of Klondike: you always know what is beneath every visible card. This allows planning three to five moves ahead without guessing. The strategic question becomes purely about sequence structure: which color groups can be kept suit-pure, and what order of moves achieves the maximum same-suit run consolidation.

Klondike family variants

• Klondike — alternating-color; hidden cards; sequences move regardless of suit
• Australian Patience — same-suit build and movement; hidden cards; single-pass stock
• Yukon — all cards face-up; alternating-color; any group moves freely

Related games and reference

• Whitehead strategy guide
• Klondike strategy guide
• Solitaire glossary
• All solitaire games