FreeCell Solitaire
FreeCell is a classic solitaire card game where players use strategy to move all cards to foundation piles, sorted by suit and rank. Unlike traditional solitaire, FreeCell allows open access to all cards from the start, with four “free cells” to temporarily hold cards, adding depth to the gameplay. Popularized by its inclusion in Microsoft Windows, it offers thousands of solvable layouts, blending skill and planning for a rewarding challenge.
How to play the FreeCell Game?
The different piles
There are three different types of piles in FreeCell Solitaire. They are:
- The Free Cells: The four piles in the upper left corner.
- The Foundations: The four piles in the upper right corner.
- The Tableau: The eight piles that make up the main table.
The setup
The Tableau piles are numbered from 1 to 8, piles 1-4 start with 7 cards each, piles 5-8with 6 cards each. The Foundations and Free Cells are empty.
The objective
To win FreeCell, you must get all the cards onto the Foundations. The Foundations are ordered by suit and rank, each Foundation has one suit and you must put the cards onto them in the order Ace 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jack Queen King. To do that you can use the moves described below:
Allowed moves
- Move one or more cards from one Tableau pile to another. You can move the top card of a pile on the Tableau onto another Tableau pile, if that pile’s top card is one higher than the moved card and in a different color. For example, you could move a red 6 onto a black 7. If the top cards on a Tableau pile are ordered, e.g. you have red 6, black 5, red 4 as the top cards, then you can click the red 6 and move all of them together onto another Tableau pile that has a black 7 as its top card. HOWEVER, there is a limitation to how many ordered cards you can move together. The number of cards you can move together is basically the number of empty free cells and empty tableaus + 1. So, if you have 2 free cells empty you can move 3 cards together. If you have all 4 free cells empty you can move 5 cards. If you have 3 free cells and 4 empty tableaus you can move 8 cards together. Moving many cards together is basically just a convenience the game provides. In the strictest sense you should always move one at a time, but if you have 4 ordered cards and 3 free cells then you could trivially move the top 3 ordered cards to the free cells, then move the fourth card and then move the 3 cards from the free cells back onto the fourth card. So, for convenience the game allows you to move n+1 cards together, where n is the number of free cells.
If you have an empty Tableau pile then you can move any card there. - Move a single card onto a Free Cell. You can always move the top card of any Tableau Pile, Free Cell or Foundation onto a Free Cell if it’s empty. Free Cell’s can only hold a single card at a time.
- Move a card from a Free Cell. You can move a card from a Free Cell onto a Foundation if it’s in the same suit and one higher than the Foundation’s top card. Or you can move a card from a Free Cell onto a Tableau pile if the card is one lower and in a different color than the Tableau pile’s top card. E.g. you could move a red 5 from a Free Cell onto a Tableau pile where the current top card was a black 6.
- You can move a Tableau card onto the Foundations. You can either drag the cards onto the Foundation, or just double click it and then it will go there by itself. When the Free Cells are empty and all cards on the Tableau are arranged in 4 piles and each of the piles has been ordered in descending order with alternating red/black cards then the Tableau will clear itself, since at that point you are guaranteed to win the game.
- You can Undo as many times as you like. The game offers unlimited undos. Each Undo counts as a new move though, so if you’re trying to win the game in as few moves as possible you should be careful about how many undos you use.
Time and Moves
The game counts the moves you make, and measures the time it takes to finish the game.
FreeCell Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is FreeCell?
FreeCell is a solitaire card game where all 52 cards are dealt face-up into eight tableau columns. The goal is to move all cards to four foundation piles, sorted by suit in ascending order (Ace to King), using four “free cells” for temporary storage.
How is FreeCell different from classic solitaire?
Unlike classic solitaire, FreeCell has all cards visible from the start, and most deals are solvable. The free cells and open tableau allow more strategic planning.
Are all FreeCell games winnable?
Most FreeCell deals are solvable, but a few (e.g., game #11982 in Microsoft’s version) are impossible. Careful planning usually ensures a win.
How do I use the free cells effectively?
Use free cells to temporarily hold cards that block key moves, like accessing buried cards or building sequences. Avoid filling them unnecessarily to maintain flexibility.
Why can’t I move a stack of cards?
You can only move a stack if there are enough empty free cells or columns to support the move. The maximum cards you can move is (number of empty free cells + 1) × (2 if an empty column exists, 1 otherwise).
What’s the best strategy to win at FreeCell?
Plan multiple moves ahead, prioritize emptying tableau columns for extra space, and focus on freeing low cards (Aces and Twos) to build foundations strategically.
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About FreeCell Game
FreeCell is a popular solitaire card game that combines strategy and skill. The objective is to move all 52 cards to four foundation piles, one for each suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades), in ascending order from Ace to King. The game is played with a standard deck, and all cards are dealt face-up into eight tableau columns at the start. Four “free cells” act as temporary storage spaces, allowing players to move cards strategically. Unlike traditional solitaire, most FreeCell deals are solvable with careful planning, as the open layout provides greater control. Originally popularized by Microsoft Windows in the 1990s, FreeCell remains a favorite for its challenging yet winnable puzzles, with thousands of unique game layouts available.
Some Tips for Playing FreeCell
1. Plan Ahead
Before moving cards, visualize several moves to avoid blocking key cards or filling free cells prematurely.
2. Empty Columns First
Prioritize freeing up entire tableau columns, as they act as extra storage spaces beyond the four free cells.
3. Build Foundations Strategically
Don’t rush to move cards to foundation piles; keep low cards (like Aces and Twos) in play for flexibility unless the move clears a path.
4. Use Free Cells Wisely
Reserve free cells for high-value moves, like accessing buried cards or setting up sequences, rather than holding cards unnecessarily.
5. Focus on Key Cards
Identify cards blocking others (e.g., low cards buried under high ones) and prioritize moves to free them.
6. Alternate Colors
Build tableau sequences in descending order with alternating colors (red, black) to maintain smooth movement.
7. Undo Strategically
If stuck, use the undo feature (if available) to backtrack and try different move sequences.
8. Practice Common Patterns
Familiarize yourself with standard layouts; many deals follow similar structures, and recognizing them speeds up solving.