FreeCell
Strategic solitaire variant where every game is winnable. Plan your moves carefully!
What is FreeCell? The Strategic Solitaire Classic
FreeCell is a unique and beloved solitaire card game that stands apart from other card games due to one revolutionary feature: nearly every game is winnable. Unlike traditional Klondike Solitaire where luck plays a significant role, FreeCell deals all 52 cards face-up from the start, giving you complete information and turning the game into a pure test of skill and strategic thinking.
The game was invented by Paul Alfille in 1978 at the University of Illinois, but it gained worldwide fame when Microsoft included it in Windows 95. Since then, FreeCell has become one of the most popular card games ever, with millions of players drawn to its perfect balance of accessibility and depth. The game's simple rules combined with its nearly perfect solvability rate (99.999% of games are winnable) make it endlessly satisfying.
What makes FreeCell special are the four "free cells" in the top-left corner, which serve as temporary storage for individual cards. These cells, combined with any empty tableau columns, determine how many cards you can move at once. Mastering FreeCell means learning to maximize these resources while building sequences and ultimately moving all cards to the four foundation piles.
Our free online FreeCell offers a clean, responsive interface with unlimited undo, fullscreen mode, and statistics tracking. Whether you are a seasoned expert looking to beat your best moves record or a newcomer wanting to learn this rewarding game, our version provides everything you need for an optimal playing experience.
How to Play FreeCell
- 1Understand the Layout
All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 8 tableau columns (4 columns with 7 cards, 4 with 6). The top-left has 4 empty free cells for temporary storage. The top-right has 4 foundation piles where you build suits from Ace to King.
- 2Build in the Tableau
In the tableau, stack cards in descending order (King to Ace) with alternating colors. For example, place a red 6 on a black 7, or a black Queen on a red King. Plan your builds to expose buried cards.
- 3Build to the Foundations
Move cards to the foundations by suit in ascending order, starting with Ace, then 2, 3... up to King. Double-click a card to auto-move it to its foundation if valid. Safe cards move automatically.
- 4Use Free Cells Wisely
Each free cell holds exactly one card temporarily. Click a card to select it, then click an empty free cell to move it there. Keep free cells as empty as possible - they determine how many cards you can move at once.
- 5Move Card Sequences
You can move multiple cards at once if they form a valid sequence. The max cards you can move = (1 + empty free cells) x 2^(empty columns). With all 4 free cells and 1 empty column, move up to 10 cards!
- 6Create Empty Columns
Empty tableau columns are extremely valuable - more so than free cells. Any card can fill an empty column, and empty columns double your moving capacity. Prioritize creating them.
- 7Win by Completing Foundations
The game is won when all 52 cards are moved to the 4 foundation piles (13 cards each, Ace through King by suit). Plan ahead, use undo to try different strategies, and aim for fewer moves!
FreeCell Rules
Core Game Rules
1. Complete Information
All 52 cards are dealt face-up at the start - there are no hidden cards. This makes FreeCell a game of pure skill where you can always plan ahead if you analyze the position carefully.
2. Tableau Building
Cards in the tableau must be stacked in descending order with alternating colors. Red on black, black on red. For example: black 5 goes on red 6. Only properly sequenced cards can be moved together.
3. Foundation Building
Foundations must be built up by suit in ascending order. Start with Ace, add 2, 3, 4... up to King. Each foundation is dedicated to one suit. Once a card is on a foundation, it cannot be moved back.
4. Free Cell Usage
The 4 free cells can each hold exactly one card. Any card can be placed in an empty free cell. Free cells are temporary storage to help you maneuver - try to keep them empty when possible.
5. Empty Column Rules
Unlike some solitaire variants, any card (not just Kings) can be placed in an empty tableau column. Empty columns are valuable because they dramatically increase how many cards you can move at once.
6. Movement Capacity
The number of cards you can move at once follows the formula: (1 + empty free cells) x 2^(empty columns). This means empty spaces exponentially increase your flexibility.
Scoring and Winning
Win Condition
Win by moving all 52 cards to the 4 foundation piles. Each foundation should have 13 cards in order from Ace to King, all of the same suit. The game tracks your total moves.
Move Counting
Each card movement counts as one move. Moving a sequence counts as one move regardless of how many cards are in it. Lower move counts indicate more efficient play - aim for under 100 moves.
Undo Usage
Unlimited undo is available to try different strategies. Using undo does not add to your move count. Use it freely to explore possibilities and learn optimal play patterns.
Statistics Tracking
The game tracks your games played, games won, current win streak, and best moves. Stats are saved locally in your browser so you can track improvement over time.
Strategy Tips
Beginner Tips
- 1.Keep free cells empty as long as possible
- 2.Expose Aces and Twos quickly
- 3.Plan several moves ahead
- 4.Use the undo button to try different strategies
Advanced Tips
- 1.Empty columns are more valuable than free cells
- 2.Build in-suit sequences when possible
- 3.Avoid burying low cards under high cards
- 4.Move cards to foundations at same pace
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all FreeCell games winnable?
How many cards can I move at once?
What is a good number of moves to win?
What is the difference between FreeCell and Solitaire?
Why do cards automatically move to foundations?
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