Solitaire Terms Explained: A Complete Glossary for Every Player

Last updated: Jul 02, 2026

Solitaire game layout with cards arranged on a table, illustrating common solitaire terms and card movement concepts used in online and classic solitaire games.

The process of learning any card game becomes intimidating when a barrage of jargon terms starts bombarding you from the outset. However, rest assured that mastering the layout of the board and movements of the cards is, by far, the most efficient way of improving your score.

This complete solitaire glossary breaks down every essential piece of vocabulary you need to master the game when you play solitaire online, from the layout of the board to advanced card movement techniques.

FAQs

The tableau is the main seven-column grid from which you perform most of your sorting operations. The objective in the tableau is to reveal any concealed cards and arrange them in decreasing order of their value in alternating colors until they can be transferred to the foundations.
The stockpile lies face down and contains all the backup cards not distributed during the initial setup. The waste pile sits face up and holds the cards you have drawn from the stock pile but have not yet integrated into the main board.
Building refers to arranging cards in accordance with the rules of the game being played. In the context of the tableau, building involves arranging cards vertically in alternating colors. On the foundations, building means stacking cards upward from Ace to King while matching the specific suit of the pile.
The foundation consists of four designated slots located at the top of your layout. The game is successfully won when you manage to transfer all 52 cards from the playing area into these four slots, organized neatly by suit from Ace to King.
A sequence refers to a set of cards laid out in numerical order consecutively. The requirement for such a sequence varies based on their position on the board. A good sequence could involve alternate cards of descending color or same suit cards in ascending order. It is useful in both serious and casual games.

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