Choose among different-suit landing places.
Thumb and Pouch has the seven-column Klondike opening and a draw-one stock. Its tableau builds down by rank in any different suit, whether the colors match or not. It also allows any card or movable sequence in an empty column. Those two rules change the routes to hidden cards.
Last updated: September 2026
Compare all valid parents
A 7 of hearts can land on an 8 of clubs, spades, or diamonds; it cannot land on the 8 of hearts. The diamond 8 is red too, but the suits differ. When several parents are available, prefer the move that reveals a hidden card or leaves another useful destination free. Do not use color alone to judge legality.
Suppose a face-up 7 of hearts covers a hidden card. Other columns end with 8 of clubs and 8 of diamonds. Both moves are legal and expose the same hidden card. Moving onto the club leaves the diamond available for a 7 of spades or clubs; moving onto the diamond leaves the club available instead. Check which of those sevens is visible before choosing.
Use empty columns without a King
Any card or legal face-up sequence can enter an empty column. That lets you move a blocker away even without a King. A free column is still limited space: filling it with a card that has no onward move may make it harder to reorganize the tableau later.
Use the stock as another route
The 24-card stock draws one card at a time to the waste, which can be recycled when empty. Before drawing, check whether the current waste top has a different-suit parent or a foundation move. A stock card can provide a new parent for a tableau card whose matching rank is otherwise buried.
Klondike’s family guidecovers hidden-card reveals and foundation timing. Thumb and Pouch keeps those questions but allows more tableau destinations and does not reserve empty columns for Kings.