FreeCell
What Is FreeCell?
FreeCell is one of the most remarkable solitaire games ever created because you can see every single card from the very first moment — nothing is hidden. The challenge is entirely strategic: how do you move cards around using only four temporary parking spaces called Free Cells? Remarkably, over 99% of all FreeCell deals are winnable if you plan carefully enough. Unlike most solitaires, losing almost always means you made a strategic error — not that you were unlucky.
What You Need
- One standard deck of 52 playing cards
- One player
- A large flat surface — or a computer, where FreeCell is one of the most popular digital card games ever
The Layout
- Eight Tableau Columns: All 52 cards are dealt face-up here at the start — nothing is hidden. The first four columns have 7 cards each, the last four have 6 cards each.
- Four Free Cells: Empty spaces in the upper left. Each holds exactly ONE card at a time. Cards parked here are available to move at any time.
- Four Foundation Piles: Empty spaces in the upper right. Build each pile up by suit from Ace to King.
Setting Up the Game
- Deal all 52 cards face-up into eight columns as described above.
- All four Free Cells are empty.
- All four Foundation piles are empty.
- Take a moment to scan the entire layout before making any moves — everything is visible and planning ahead is essential.
How to Play — Step by Step
Moving Cards in the Tableau
You may move the bottom card of any column — the card with nothing on top of it — onto another column’s bottom card, IF the card you are placing is one rank lower AND the opposite color.
- Black 6 goes on Red 7
- Red Queen goes on Black King
- Red 3 goes on Black 4
You can only move ONE card at a time directly. However, in practice — especially in computer versions — you can move sequences of cards as a group if you have enough Free Cells to theoretically do it one card at a time. The number of cards you can move as a group equals the number of empty Free Cells plus one, multiplied by two for each empty Tableau column.
Using the Free Cells
Move any accessible Tableau card to an empty Free Cell at any time. The card simply waits there. You can move it from the Free Cell back to the Tableau or to a Foundation whenever appropriate. But remember — filling all four Free Cells simultaneously can trap you with no remaining moves. Always try to keep at least one Free Cell open.
Building the Foundations
When an Ace is accessible, move it to an empty Foundation space. Then build that pile upward in the same suit: 2 on the Ace, then 3, then 4, all the way to King. All four suit foundations must reach King to win.
Empty Tableau Columns
If you move all cards from a Tableau column, creating an empty space, any single card or sequence can be placed there. Empty columns function like extra-large Free Cells and dramatically increase your flexibility.
Winning
Move all 52 cards to the four Foundation piles — Ace through King in each suit.
Tips for New Players
- Never fill all four Free Cells at once — you need working space. One open Free Cell is the minimum to maintain flexibility.
- Before moving any card, trace the chain of consequences — what does this move enable? What does it block?
- Find the Aces first — trace what is buried above each Ace and plan how to uncover them.