How to Play FreeCell
FreeCell is a strategic solitaire card game where almost every game is winnable with the right strategy! Use four free cells and four foundations to organize all 52 cards.
Game Setup
- All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 8 tableau columns
- First 4 columns have 7 cards each, last 4 columns have 6 cards each
- Four free cells (temporary storage) start empty
- Four foundations (final destination) start empty
Objective
Move all cards to the four foundation piles, building up from Ace to King in each suit (♥ ♦ ♣ ♠).
Game Rules
- Tableau Building: Cards in tableau columns must be built down (descending rank) in alternating colors (red on black, black on red). For example, a red 6 can be placed on a black 7.
- Free Cells: Any single card can be temporarily moved to an empty free cell. Use these strategically for maneuvering cards.
- Foundations: Build up from Ace to King in the same suit (Ace → 2 → 3 → ... → King). All cards must eventually end up here.
- Empty Columns: Any card or valid sequence can be moved to an empty tableau column. Empty columns are very valuable!
- Moving Sequences: You can move multiple cards at once if you have enough free cells and empty columns. The formula is: (free cells + 1) × (empty columns + 1). For example, with 2 free cells and 1 empty column, you can move up to 6 cards.
- Face-up Cards: All cards are dealt face-up from the start, so you can see the entire layout and plan your strategy.
Why FreeCell is Special
FreeCell is unique among solitaire games because:
- Almost Every Game is Winnable: Of the 1 million possible game numbers, only one is known to be unsolvable (game #11982)
- Perfect Information: All cards are visible from the start, making it a game of pure strategy rather than luck
- Replayable: You can replay the same game number to improve your strategy and minimize moves
- Skill-Based: Success depends entirely on planning and strategy, not on the luck of the draw
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play FreeCell?
In FreeCell, move all cards to four foundation piles (by suit, Ace to King). Use four free cells to temporarily store cards. Cards in the tableau must be built in descending order with alternating colors. Unlike Klondike, all cards are visible from the start.
Is every FreeCell game winnable?
Almost all FreeCell games are winnable - approximately 99.999% of all possible deals can be solved. Only a handful of specific deals are known to be unsolvable. This makes FreeCell more skill-based than luck-based compared to other Solitaire variants.
What are the free cells used for in FreeCell?
Free cells are temporary storage spaces where you can place any single card. You have four free cells available. Use them strategically to rearrange cards and create sequences. Each occupied free cell limits how many cards you can move at once.