Solitaire is the collective term for hundreds of card games and activities requiring only one person. The game involves arranging a shuffled deck of cards into a specified order or tableau, no matter the variation.

The origins of the game are a little hazy. One of the first documented references to the word "solitaire" was in a 17th-century engraving featuring Anne-Joulie de Rohan-Chabot, Princess Soubise, playing solitaire. However, this was a different game as it used pegs instead of cards.

The card game Solitaire likely originated from cartomancy or tarot as an early form of fortune telling due to how cards are laid out in both practices. This is also supported by the use of the alternative term "cabale", which originated from the Medieval Latin "caballa", meaning secret knowledge.

Some game variations have also been called patience, especially in England, Germany, and Portugal. Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, was notably fond of patience games.

Classic Solitaire, also known as klondike solitaire, is arguably the most popular form of solitaire today. Moreover, it's the version you can find on nearly every Microsoft computer since 1990, further cementing its place in modern culture.

You will need a standard deck to play a classic klondike game. The goal is to build the four suits into a foundation of aces.

After shuffling, here's how you play:

One of the best ways to improve your solitaire-playing skills is by educating yourself about gameplay strategies.

1. Think Ahead Be mindful about each action you take. Some moves could become irreversible, making you unable to continue the game, so think about possible consequences or outcomes for each move you make. The most crucial thing is to take your time and never rush. Do you remember? Solitaire is all about patience.

2. Work on Larger Stacks First Revealing the cards in stacks or columns will give you better chances of getting cards that could help you out when building your sequences.

3. Play Aces and Twos Immediately They don't usually help reveal hidden cards, either, so it's best to set them aside as soon as possible.

1. How many versions of Solitaire are there? There are over 500 variations of Solitaire. However, more versions could be invented due to the game's simplicity and the many rule combinations one could make.

2. Is Solitaire easy to learn? The rules of solitaire are pretty simple to understand, especially if one already has experience playing card games. Developing a winning strategy is the more challenging part.

3. Is it possible to win every game of Solitaire that you play? The short answer is no. Some variations could be easier to win than others. Still, it's improbable that every game of solitaire could be winnable, especially considering the randomness of the cards and the sensitivity of each move.