Double Solitaire is what happens when a solo game grows a second seat. You still have the quiet, orderly feeling of solitaire—sorting chaos into structure—but now there’s another person doing the same thing beside you. Sometimes it’s cooperative in spirit (two people playing calmly at the same table). Sometimes it’s competitive (who finishes first, or who builds more efficiently). Either way, the appeal is the same: you get solitaire’s focus without solitaire’s loneliness.
If you’re asking what is Double Solitaire, the simplest answer is: it’s a two-player way to play solitaire where each player builds their own layout, usually from separate decks, with a few agreed rules about pace and interaction.
That’s why it’s often discussed among relaxed two player card games—it’s more parallel play than direct confrontation.
The most common meaning: two Klondike games at once
In many households, “Double Solitaire” means two people playing Klondike Solitaire side by side.
Each player:
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has their own deck (so you use two decks total),
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builds their own tableau and foundations,
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plays independently.
This is the calmest version. You can chat, pause, and play at your own speed. The “double” part simply refers to two solitaires happening simultaneously.
What makes it fun
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It’s shared quiet time.
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It’s easy to teach because many people already know Klondike’s shape.
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You can add light competition without changing the rules.
The competitive version: two players, one race
Some groups use “Double Solitaire” to mean a race version of solitaire, where the goal is to finish first.
Common competitive rules include:
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Both players start at the same time.
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No pausing.
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Winner is whoever completes all foundations first (or reaches an agreed milestone, like building all four foundations to Kings).
This turns solitaire into a speed-and-accuracy game: you’re not only solving, you’re solving under time pressure.
The shared-foundations version (more interactive)
There’s also a more “game-like” meaning: both players build onto shared foundation piles in the center.
Typically:
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Each player has their own stock and tableau.
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Foundations in the middle can be built by either player (often by suit from Ace to King).
This version creates gentle interaction:
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You might “help” the shared foundations by playing an Ace early.
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Or you might feel the sting when your opponent plays the card you needed.
Because this format varies a lot by house rules, it’s best to agree on the foundation rules before you begin (shared vs separate is the biggest decision you’ll make).
Basic setup if you want to try it right now (the clean default)
If you want a simple, low-argument starting point:
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Use two decks (one per player).
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Each player plays standard Klondike rules on their own space.
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If you want a winner, set a time limit (10–20 minutes) and score:
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+1 for each card in the foundations, or
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+5 for each completed foundation pile.
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That avoids the “one player finishes, the other is stuck in an unwinnable layout” problem.
How it fits into two player card games
Double Solitaire is unusual among two player card games because it’s not about blocking or bluffing. It’s about parallel focus. It works well when:
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one player likes calm puzzles,
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the other likes having something to do with their hands while talking,
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or you both want a low-stakes game that still feels structured.
It’s also a great “end of day” game—quiet enough for tired brains.
One subtle point beginners miss
If you play the racing version, speed isn’t the whole story. The best players win because they reduce wasted motion: they flip stock smoothly, keep tableau columns tidy, and develop a habit of scanning for immediate foundation plays before they commit to rearranging the tableau.
In other words, they win the same way good cooks do: not by working harder, but by working cleaner.
So, what is Double Solitaire? It’s solitaire with a second seat—usually two players running their own layouts side by side, sometimes racing, sometimes sharing foundations, often just enjoying quiet competition. Among two player card games, it’s a rare one where the main opponent isn’t the person across the table—it’s the mess you’re trying to turn into order.