Microsoft Solitaire Collection

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection is a comprehensive way to enjoy a variety of solitaire games with added features for a more modern and enhanced gaming experience. Whether you are playing the classic Klondike, testing your strategy with Spider, making calculated moves in Freecell, aiming for the sum in Pyramid, or seeking quick wins in TriPeaks, this collection provides solitaire enthusiasts with different levels of challenge and engagement.

Solitaire has indeed been a staple of computer gaming for decades, with many enjoying its simple yet engaging gameplay. Here are some basic instructions for playing the most common variations you mentioned:

Klondike

• Goal: Build up the four foundations in ascending suit sequence from Ace to King.
• Gameplay: Cards are dealt into seven columns with the number of cards increasing from one to seven from left to right. Only the top card is face up. You can move cards between columns to reveal the cards underneath, but they must be placed in descending order and alternate colors. You can draw additional cards from the remaining deck when no more moves are available.

Spider

• Goal: Clear all the cards.
• Gameplay: Deal cards into ten columns. You need to arrange the cards in descending order from King to Ace. Once a complete set is formed, it's removed from the table. You can deal additional cards from the deck if you run out of moves.

Freecell

• Goal: Move all the cards to the foundations.
• Gameplay: Use the four free cells as placeholders to manipulate the table columns that are built in descending order and alternating colors. The foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King.

Pyramid

• Goal: Match cards that add up to 13 and remove them until you clear the board.
• Gameplay: Cards are arranged in a pyramid shape. You can remove pairs of available cards that add up to 13. Kings are removed individually since they value 13.

TriPeaks

• Goal: Clear all three peaks by matching cards.
• Gameplay: Select cards in a sequence, either one higher or one lower than the open card. If no moves are available, open a card from the deck and try to continue the sequence.

Controls

• Mouse: Click to select and move cards.
• Drag and Drop: Move cards by clicking, holding, and dragging them to the desired location.

The games you've mentioned, such as the "Microsoft Solitaire Collection," offer a digital way to enjoy these classic games and often include features like daily challenges to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. It's a good balance between familiar rules and varied gameplay across the different versions.