Can I place a King-led run in an empty column if the King is not the top card?

No. Only a King, or a run starting with a King, may be placed in an empty column. The King must be the top card of the run you move.

What if I have two Kings of the same colour available?

Choose the one that uncovers a face-down card, or if both uncover cards, choose the one that gives you the most useful Queen options based on the current tableau.

Is it ever better to leave an empty column empty even if a King is available?

Yes. If the available King would force you to use a Queen you need elsewhere, or if waiting might give you a better colour match, leave it empty.

Does the rank of the King matter besides colour?

No. All Kings are equal in rank. Only the colour matters for what Queen they accept.

Which King Should Fill an Empty Column in Klondike?

When an empty column opens in Klondike Solitaire, you may have more than one King or King-led run to choose from. The question of which king to move depends on colour needs, what each move uncovers, and whether waiting is better. Decide quickly and clearly with the steps below.

The Basics of Empty Columns and Kings

Only a King, or a run starting with a King, may be placed in an empty Klondike column. There are 4 Kings: two red (hearts, diamonds) and two black (spades, clubs). A King on a red or black colour determines the colour of the Queen it accepts: a red King takes a black Queen. The tableau has 7 columns; the rightmost starts with 6 face-down cards. Moving a King that sits on top of face-down cards uncovers a new card; moving one from the waste does not. Leave an empty column empty until a useful King appears.

Colour Needs Red or Black King?

Your first filter is colour. Look at the cards already in the tableau. If you have many red Queens waiting for a black King, a black King is more useful. If you have many black Queens, a red King is better. The same logic applies to King-led runs: the colour of the King at the top of the run decides which colour Queen it can accept.

When to Prefer a Red King

If you have multiple black Queens exposed or likely to be exposed soon, a red King gives you more building options. A red King (hearts or diamonds) accepts only a black Queen.

When to Prefer a Black King

If you have multiple red Queens exposed or soon to be uncovered, a black King (spades or clubs) is the better choice. A black King accepts only a red Queen.

What Each Move Uncovers

The second factor is what you gain by moving the King. A King that sits on top of face-down cards will uncover a new card when moved. A King from the waste pile does not uncover anything.

Check the source. Is the King on the tableau covering face-down cards? If yes, moving it reveals a new card.
Check the run. If the King is part of a run, moving the whole run also uncovers whatever was under the bottom card of that run.
Compare options. If one King uncovers a face-down card and another does not, move the one that reveals a new card, unless colour needs strongly argue otherwise.

Should You Wait?

Sometimes the best move is to wait. If no King is available, leave the empty column empty until one appears. If you have a King but it would block future moves, wait.

When Waiting Makes Sense

No King is available. Leave the empty column empty until one appears.
The only King would force you to use a Queen you need elsewhere.
You have multiple Kings and want to see which colour becomes more useful after the next waste draw.

When to Act Now

A King is available and uncovers a face-down card.
The colour matches the Queens you have ready.
Waiting would waste a chance to build longer runs.

Step-by-Step Decision Procedure

Use these steps in order when an empty column appears and you have more than one King or King-led run.

List Kings. Include runs that start with a King. Note their colour and source (tableau or waste).
Check colour needs. Count red and black Queens in the tableau. Prioritise a King of the colour that matches the majority of Queens.
Check uncovered cards. Prefer a King that sits on face-down cards. Moving it reveals a new card. A King from the waste does not.
Check the run length. A longer King-led run may be harder to place later, so filling the empty column with it can free space.
Decide. If one King clearly wins on colour and uncovering, move it. If tied, wait one turn or draw from the waste to see what appears.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring colour. Placing a red King when you have no black Queens leaves you stuck.
Moving a King from the waste too early. If a King on the tableau would uncover a card, that is almost always better.
Filling the empty column too quickly. An empty column is a valuable space. Do not fill it with a King that does not improve your position.
Forgetting the run. A King-led run can fill the column, but the colour of the King at the top is what matters for the Queen it accepts.

Practice on Duke of Solitaire

Apply this strategy while playing classic solitaire free on dukeofsolitaire.com. No download, no signup needed. Try the empty column strategy described here and see which choices lead to more wins.