A basic deck of cards and playing space on a table or floor is all you need to quickly set up a solitaire game. Although there are many variations, the most popular form of solitaire is the infamous "Klondike" variation. In fact, most people are referring to the Klondike game when they refer to the game of solitaire. There are no special rules to set up a Klondike game so it should take a few minutes at most to get started.
Shuffle the cards well to mix them up.
Deal seven cards in front of you face down in a horizontal line to create seven columns. Deal a second card face down on each column except the first column on the left. Deal a third card face down on each column except the first two columns on the left. Continue dealing cards in this fashion, placing cards face down on the four columns on the right, then the three columns on the right, next the two columns on the right and finally a last card on the furthest column on the right.
Place the remaining cards in a pile face down above the furthest column on the left.
Leave room for four foundation piles above the columns where you will build each suit of cards from Ace to King. Leave enough room beneath the seven columns of cards to build sequences of cards.
Shuffle the cards well to mix them up.
Deal seven cards in front of you face down in a horizontal line to create seven columns. Deal a second card face down on each column except the first column on the left. Deal a third card face down on each column except the first two columns on the left. Continue dealing cards in this fashion, placing cards face down on the four columns on the right, then the three columns on the right, next the two columns on the right and finally a last card on the furthest column on the right.
Place the remaining cards in a pile face down above the furthest column on the left.
Leave room for four foundation piles above the columns where you will build each suit of cards from Ace to King. Leave enough room beneath the seven columns of cards to build sequences of cards.