How to Play Yukon
Yukon is a quiet, thoughtful solitaire that feels a bit like Klondike but plays differently. For a friendly collection of guides and more card-game help visit Playmore.
Quick facts
| Game | Type | Players | Deck | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | American patience (solitaire) | 1 | 52 (standard deck) | Face-up tableau groups move; no stock |
What you are trying to do
Your goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles, usually building each suit upward from its lowest cards (for example starting at the Ace) up to the King. You rearrange the tableau by moving face-up cards and face-up groups so you can free cards for the foundations. Exact foundation start points and build rules can vary by version, so check the authoritative rules your group prefers.
What you need and how to set up
You need one full, normal 52-card deck. Yukon is usually dealt into several tableau piles where many cards are face-up from the start. Unlike Klondike, there is no separate stock or waste pile; the play focuses on moving cards already in the tableau and moving them to the foundations.
Different sources deal the piles in slightly different ways. Some versions include a few face-down cards under face-up cards in certain piles. If your group follows a particular rule set, use that layout. Groups should check the authoritative or regional rules for the exact initial deal before you begin.
How to play
- Look for cards that can go to the foundations (often starting with Aces). Move those cards to start foundation piles.
- On the tableau, build downward to create room for other cards. Many players use alternating color when building down, but rules may vary. Confirm with your rule source.
- You may pick up any face-up card and move it together with all cards that are face-up beneath it. That whole visible run moves as one unit onto a legal target.
- When a face-down card becomes exposed, flip it face-up. That newly revealed card may be moved or used immediately.
- Empty tableau spaces accept a card or sequence according to the version you use; some groups allow only Kings to fill empty spaces, others allow any card or sequence. Check your chosen rules.
- Keep moving cards between tableau piles and to the foundations until no useful moves remain.
How a round or game ends
A game ends in one of two ways. You win if you successfully move all cards to the foundation piles according to your version’s building rules. The game also ends if no legal moves remain in the tableau and you cannot continue. Because small rule differences change the exact win conditions, confirm the official rule set your group prefers.
Beginner tips
- Expose face-down cards as soon as you can; revealing new cards opens options.
- Move cards to foundations only when it won’t block useful plays in the tableau.
- Create empty tableau spaces early if your rules let you place powerful cards there (like a King) to free long runs.
- Think a few moves ahead before moving a long sequence; you may need part of it later.
- Play slowly and experiment with a few local rule variants to find what you enjoy most.
FAQ
Do I need a special deck to play Yukon?
No. Yukon uses one normal 52-card deck. You do not need any special cards or purchases.
Is Yukon the same as Klondike?
They look similar at first, but Yukon plays differently. The biggest difference is that many cards are face-up in the tableau and you can move whole face-up groups without a stock. Check your preferred rules for exact differences.
Can I move any face-up group at any time?
You can move face-up cards and the face-up cards below them as a group, but whether a move is legal depends on your building rules (for example how you build down in the tableau). Confirm the exact allowed moves with your chosen rule set.