Comparison
Klondike (Draw Three) vs Westcliff
| Klondike (Draw Three) | Westcliff | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One deck | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 12 min | 9 min |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How much skill matters | High | Medium |
| How much the shuffle matters | Medium | Medium |
| Family | Klondike family | Klondike family |
| Good for beginners | No | No |
We have not written a verdict for this pairing. The comparison above is drawn from each game's own recorded facts — follow either link for its full rules and strategy.
Klondike (Draw Three)
The stricter Klondike variant: the stock deals three cards at a time, and only the top card is playable.
Everything is standard Klondike — seven columns of ascending length, build down in alternating colours, four foundations up by suit, Kings into empty columns. The one change is the stock: it turns three cards at a time and only the topmost of the three is playable.
Westcliff
Three rows of seven and one pass through the stock, but any card at all may take an empty column.
Twenty-one cards go down in three overlapping rows of seven, the first two rows face down and the third face up. Columns pack down in alternating colours, and Aces are lifted to the foundations as they become available, building up by suit to King.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, Klondike (Draw Three) or Westcliff?
- Klondike (Draw Three) is generally rated intermediate difficulty, while Westcliff is rated intermediate — the two are broadly comparable in difficulty.