How a World Solitaire Championship Turned Quiet Play Into a Global Spectacle

For decades, solitaire has been the ultimate solo pastime, played in bedrooms, on laptops, or during moments of downtime. 

This year, the game took on a different energy at the World Solitaire Championship in Miami, with roaring crowds, high-stakes competition, and a global stage.

At the center of it all was Sidney Ha, a 25-year-old pharmacy student from Elk Grove, California, who became the first-ever World Solitaire Champion at PAPAYA’s inaugural tournament. Ha clinched the title in a 31 seconds after advancing through multiple rounds of timed play.

After his win, Ha said, “I never imagined a game I’ve played quietly for years would bring me here. Competing in Miami felt electric, with every round demanding total focus. More than anything, it was a joy to share the experience in real life with 400 other Solitaire Cash players who share my love for competitive community.”

The road to Miami began online, where more than 500,000 players worldwide competed in qualifying rounds through PAPAYA’s Solitaire Cash app. From that field, 400 players representing four continents earned a place at the live event; 82% of participants were women, and competitors ranged in age from 19 to over 65.

Inside the arena, as on the PAPAYA platform, players competed under identical conditions, using the same deck setup, mirroring the standardized digital environment that rewards strategy, focus, and consistency. 

As traditional “third places” — the social spaces outside of home and work — continue to decline, new forms of connection are emerging in unexpected places. PAPAYA’s model taps into that gap, turning familiar single-player games into repeatable competitions that evolve into communities.

Research from PAPAYA and the National Institute for Play says 75% of adult players prioritize meaningful practice over passive escapism. People aren’t just playing to pass the time, but to improve, compete, and belong.

A PAPAYA spokesperson said, “We know that adults are seeking challenge, mastery, and experiences that improve them. Sidney’s victory, and the community that formed in that arena, embodies exactly what PAPAYA is building.”

That vision is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: that play, when structured and shared, can become a social anchor. What starts as a solitary routine can evolve into something communal, even transformative.

That evolution was on full display in Miami with hundreds of players who had only ever competed digitally meeting face-to-face, turning a once-private pastime into a collective experience.