What is Solitaire Turn 3?
Turn 3, also called Draw 3, is the traditional way to play Klondike. When you click the stock, three cards are turned over onto the waste, but only the top one can be played. The two beneath it become available only after the top card has been used. If the stock runs out, the waste is flipped back to form a new stock and you go around again.
The result is a game in which the order of the cards matters a great deal. Playing one card from the waste exposes the next, and that changes which cards are reachable on later passes.
Turn 3 compared with Turn 1
| Draw 1 | Draw 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cards turned per draw | 1 | 3 (top one playable) |
| Playable cards in the stock | Every one, in turn | Only some on any pass |
| Difficulty | Easier, more forgiving | Harder, more planning |
| Best for | Beginners and relaxed play | Players who want a challenge |
How to play Draw 3 well
- Remember the order of the waste. If you know a useful card is third in a group, you can plan to play the two above it, or to skip it and catch it on the next pass.
- Make all tableau moves before drawing. Every draw can bury a card you wanted.
- Be careful with the last card in the waste. Playing it changes the grouping of everything that follows on the next pass.
- Use the tableau to create access. Stacking a card on the tableau that you would otherwise have to wait for lets you reach the card underneath it earlier.
- Use Undo to compare plans. Because the stock changes on each pass, trying two lines and comparing them is a good way to learn.
Are the Turn 3 deals winnable?
Yes, with the deal library described on the winnable Solitaire page. Draw 3 is harder for a solver than Draw 1, so the pool of verified Draw 3 deals is smaller, and the solver is stricter about which games it accepts. Every Draw 3 deal in the library has a complete winning line that was replayed through the game engine. If you are new to the game, try Draw 1 first and read the strategy tips.
Frequently asked questions
What does Turn 3 mean in Solitaire?
Turn 3 means you turn over three cards from the stock at a time, and only the top card of the three can be played. It is the traditional and harder way to play Klondike.
Is Turn 3 harder than Turn 1?
Yes. Fewer stock cards are available on each pass, so planning the order of play matters much more.
Are Turn 3 deals on this site winnable?
Every Draw 3 deal in the library has a winning line that a solver found and that was replayed through the game rules. Draw 3 is harder for a solver, so the library of verified Draw 3 deals is smaller than the Draw 1 one.