The word Solitaire is a French one, meaning by oneself. Transferring this meaning into the card game world, it stand for card games played by them selves. Like other solitaire card games such as Free Cell the primary goal is not to defeat an opponent, but to solve given problems. It takes patience to solve card game puzzles, such it takes patience to solve real life problems. Unlike other popular card games and board games, that are played with other people, such as Poker, Rummy or Uno, where the objective is to be faster or gain more points than the opponent, Solitaire Patience card games are focused solitarily on the problem solving skills of the player himself.

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Being able to solve solitaire puzzles, makes you prepare for competition. Many professional poker player are playing games such as the classic Solitaire game, in order to gain skills for their real profession. It is like doing your homework. Doing homework by yourself makes you better. Doing it in a group, might be more fun, in case your friends are nice to play with, but doing them by yourself makes you smarter.

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Solitaire games were originally played in the German and European area, starting way back in the 17 century. The popularity then took over to other regions in North and South Europe and now is the mot popular card game round the world. With millions players downloading mobile solitaire versions, playing the game online or with a real 52 card deck in their living room, Klondike Patience is often underestimated in popularity and excitement. After reaching high popularity across Europe, the Patience game was traceable played in the North American, Canadian region. According to historian, the so called Klondike region in Canada, was reason for a second wave of this famous card game being played. Gold mine workers, after working may hours in the mine, amused themselves with playing Solitaire. Being known under a variety of names, Patience games are now played and enjoyed in the whole western area, including east Asian areas such as Russia.

South East Asian regions on the other hand like other Patience games with different decks, which its origins from each region. Mahjong for example is a famous puzzle, which popularity won over Western countries card players. Other fun games from the Asian regions are GoStop, Sudoku and Chinese Poker.  GoStop, very similar to the classic Solitaire, is played with an exotic card deck and mostly played in a group. But elder Korean people also play single Solitaire like game with those cards.

Interesting, how different cultures have similar developments.

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