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FreeCell

The open-board solitaire, nearly every deal is winnable. Free cells, foundations, undo and hints.

FreeCell rules, tactics & how to play

Learn how FreeCell solitaire works and the method that lets you solve almost every deal, then play the board above.

Rules & how to play

The goal

Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, building each suit up from Ace to King.

The layout

  • All cards are dealt face up into eight columns, so you can see everything from the start.
  • There are four free cells at the top left, each holding a single card as temporary storage.
  • In the columns you build down in alternating colours, for example a red 6 on a black 7.
  • Any card can go to its foundation once the lower cards of that suit are already there.
How to win

Plan before you touch a card

Because every card is visible, FreeCell rewards thinking ahead. Look for the sequence of moves that frees the cards you need before you start moving.

Keep free cells empty

Free cells are your most valuable resource. The more you keep open, the longer the runs of cards you can move in one go. Fill them only when you have a plan to empty them again.

Open a column early

An empty column is even more powerful than a free cell. Try to clear a short column so you have somewhere to park long sequences.

Do not rush to the foundations

Sending a card to a foundation too early can strand a card you still need to unbury a column. Hold low cards back when they are still useful in play.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play FreeCell?

Deal all 52 cards face up into eight columns. Build the columns downward in alternating colours, use the four free cells to hold single cards temporarily, and move every card to its suit foundation from Ace up to King. When all four foundations are complete you win.

Is every FreeCell game winnable?

Almost every FreeCell deal can be solved, which is unusual for solitaire. Only a tiny fraction of shuffles are impossible. With careful planning the large majority of games are winnable.

What is the best FreeCell strategy?

Plan several moves ahead because all cards are visible, keep as many free cells empty as you can, work to open an empty column, and avoid sending cards to the foundations too early if they are still needed to unbury columns.

What are free cells for?

The four free cells are temporary storage for one card each. They let you move cards out of the way to reach the ones underneath. Keeping them empty is important because the number of free cells and empty columns determines how many cards you can move at once.