Introduction
FreeCell is a classic solitaire game in which all 52 cards are dealt face up. Because you can see every card from the start, success depends less on luck and more on planning how to use the four free cells and empty tableau columns. Most deals can be solved, but careless moves can still leave you stuck.
The objective
To win, move all 52 cards to the foundations. Build each foundation in a single suit, starting with the Ace and continuing in order through the King.
The piles
FreeCell uses three types of piles:
- The free cells: Four spaces in the upper-left corner. Each free cell can hold one card.
- The foundations: Four piles in the upper-right corner, one for each suit.
- The tableau: Eight columns that contain the dealt cards and form the main playing area.
The setup
All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns receive seven cards each, and the last four receive six. The free cells and foundations start empty.
Allowed moves
- Build down on the tableau in alternating colors. Move an exposed card onto a card of the opposite color and one rank higher—for example, a red 6 onto a black 7. You may also move a correctly ordered descending run when enough free cells or empty tableau columns are available as temporary spaces. The longest run you can move is one card plus the total number of empty free cells and empty tableau columns. When moving to an empty tableau column, subtract one because the destination itself uses an empty space. Any card or movable run may be placed in an empty tableau column.
- Use the free cells as temporary storage. Move an exposed card from a tableau column or foundation to an empty free cell. Each free cell holds one card.
- Move a card out of a free cell. Place it on a tableau card of the opposite color and one rank higher, move it to its foundation when it is the next card needed in that suit, or place it in an empty tableau column.
- Build the foundations by suit. Move an exposed Ace to its foundation, then add cards of the same suit in ascending order through the King. Drag a card there or double-click it. You may move the top foundation card back to a legal tableau position or an empty free cell. With “Auto finish games” enabled, the game finishes automatically once all free cells are empty and every remaining tableau column is fully ordered.
- Undo as often as you like. Undo is unlimited, but each undo counts as another move. Keep that in mind if you are trying to finish with a low move count.
And that's it!
Ready to put your FreeCell strategy to the test? Play a round at Cardgames.io.
