Comparison
Whitehead vs Westcliff
| Whitehead | Westcliff | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One deck | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 10 min | 9 min |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How much skill matters | Medium | Medium |
| How much the shuffle matters | Medium | Medium |
| Family | Klondike family | Klondike family |
| Good for beginners | Yes | 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.
Whitehead
A Klondike variant dealt entirely face-up, where tableau sequences build by same color instead of alternating color.
Klondike's seven-column staircase, but every card is dealt face up, so nothing is hidden from the first move. Columns build down by colour rather than alternating it — red goes on red, black on black, and suit does not matter.
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, Whitehead or Westcliff?
- Whitehead is generally rated beginner difficulty, while Westcliff is rated intermediate — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.