♠What is FreeCell Solitaire?
FreeCell is one of the most popular solitaire card games out there. Unlike other solitaire games where hidden cards and random draws decide whether you win, FreeCell deals all 52 cards face-up from the start. Every game is a test of skill and careful thinking, not luck.
Paul Alfille first programmed it for the PLATO educational computer system in 1978. It blew up when Microsoft included it in Windows 95, and millions of people got hooked. FreeCell is still one of the most-played solitaire games in the world because it's fair, it's challenging, and winning actually feels like you accomplished something.
Nearly every deal is solvable. Of the original 32,000 Microsoft FreeCell deals, only one (deal #11982) has been proven impossible.
Here's the thing that hooks people: nearly every deal is solvable. Of the original 32,000 Microsoft FreeCell numbered deals, only one (deal #11982) has been proven impossible. So when you lose, it's almost always a strategic mistake, not bad luck. That's why winning feels so good and why you keep wanting to get better.
♥Understanding the Game Board
The FreeCell board has three areas. Each one does something different, and you'll need to use all three to organize the full 52-card deck.
Free Cells
Four empty spaces in the upper-left corner. Think of them as your breathing room. Each one holds exactly one card. Use them well and you'll be able to pull off bigger moves and dig out buried cards.
Foundations
Four empty spaces in the upper-right corner. You build your completed suits here, from Ace up to King in a single suit. Fill all four foundations and you've won.
Cascades
Eight columns of cards in the center of the board. This is where you do most of your work. All 52 cards start here, and your job is to rearrange them.
♦How the Game is Set Up
When a new game starts, all 52 cards get dealt face-up into 8 columns. The first four columns get 7 cards each (28 total) and the last four get 6 cards each (24 total). That covers the whole deck.
Number of cards dealt to each cascade column
No stock pile, no draw pile, no hidden cards. You can see everything from the very first move. That's what makes FreeCell a game of pure skill instead of chance.
Each game is identified by a unique deal number. Our deals #1 through #32,000 are fully compatible with the original Microsoft FreeCell.
Each game has a unique deal number that determines the card layout. You can replay specific deals to practice, or share numbers with friends so you're both playing the exact same hand. Our deals #1 through #32,000 match the original Microsoft FreeCell, so you can even look up known solutions online.
♣Rules of Play
FreeCell's rules are simple to learn but take time to get good at. Here are the five core rules you need before your first move.
♠Moving Cards Between Cascades
The fundamental move in FreeCell: you can move the bottom (exposed) card of any cascade onto the bottom card of another cascade, but only if the destination card is one rank higher and the opposite color. For example, a red 5 (♥ or ♦) can be placed on a black 6 (♠ or ♣). A black Jack can be placed on a red Queen. But a red 3 cannot go on a red 4 (same color), and a 7 cannot go on a 5 (must be exactly one rank higher).
Red 5 on Black 6
Black J on Red Q
Same color, not allowed
Alternating colors, descending rank. If you've played Klondike (classic) solitaire before, you already know this pattern.
♥Using Free Cells
You can move any single exposed card to an empty free cell. It's your safety valve when you need to temporarily get a card out of the way. But each free cell only holds one card, and you only have four. Every occupied free cell reduces how many cards you can move at once. Good players use them sparingly and clear them out as fast as they can.
♦Building Foundations
Foundations are built up by suit, starting from the Ace. The order is: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K. Each of the four foundations holds one suit: spades (♠), hearts (♥), diamonds (♦), and clubs (♣). You can only place a card on a foundation if it's the next card in that suit's sequence. For example, if the spades foundation currently shows 5♠, only 6♠ can go there next.
In most FreeCell versions (including ours), cards that are safe to play get moved to foundations automatically. Saves you clicks so you can focus on the real decisions.
♣Using Empty Columns
When you empty a cascade column completely, you can move any card or valid sequence there. Empty columns are even more valuable than free cells because they hold entire sequences, not just single cards. Each one doubles the number of cards you can move at once. Think twice before filling an empty column, especially with a King, since nothing can go on top of a King in a cascade.
♠The Supermove (Moving Multiple Cards)
Technically, FreeCell only lets you move one card at a time. But most computer versions (including ours) let you move a properly ordered sequence (descending rank, alternating colors) in one shot. It works as long as there are enough empty free cells and columns to theoretically do it one card at a time.
♠Understanding Supermoves
Supermoves are a big deal in FreeCell. How many cards you can move at once depends on your empty free cells and empty columns. Here's the formula:
Say you have 2 empty free cells and 1 empty column. That's (1 + 2) × 2¹ = 6 cards at once. With all 4 free cells empty and 2 empty columns, you can move (1 + 4) × 2² = 20 cards in one shot. Keeping free cells and columns open gives you way more flexibility to reorganize the board.
Before attempting a multi-card move, quickly count your empty spaces to make sure the move is actually possible.
Once you internalize this formula, you'll read the board differently. Before you try a multi-card move, count your empty spaces to make sure it's actually possible. Running out of move capacity halfway through a plan is a common way to lose.
♥Playing Your First Game
Ready to play? Here's how to approach your first game of FreeCell, step by step.
♠Scan the Board
Before you touch anything, take 30 seconds to look over the whole layout. Where are the Aces? How buried are they? Are any 2s or 3s blocked? Do any columns already have some natural ordering? This quick scan saves you from a lot of dead ends later.
♥Prioritize Freeing Aces and Low Cards
Aces and 2s need to get to the foundations as soon as you can manage it. Your early moves should focus on uncovering these low cards. If an Ace is buried under six other cards, that column needs your attention first. Plan a sequence of moves to dig it out.
♦Build Descending Sequences
Move cards between cascades to build descending, alternating-color sequences. Focus on columns where you'll actually free up important buried cards. Don't build sequences just because you can. Every move should serve a purpose.
♣Send Cards to Foundations Early
When Aces become available, move them to the foundations right away. Follow up with 2s, 3s, and so on as they open up. Building foundations early frees up space in the cascades and gets you closer to winning.
♠Manage Free Cells and Empty Columns
Keep track of your empty free cells and columns. Every card you park in a free cell limits how many cards you can move at once. Only use free cells when you have to, and clear them out quickly. If you create an empty column, protect it. It's your most valuable resource.
♥Think Several Moves Ahead
Before each move, ask yourself: "What does this open up?" Try to see 3 to 5 moves ahead. If a sequence of moves doesn't lead somewhere productive (freeing a key card, creating an empty column, or building foundations), reconsider. Good players think in chains, not single moves.
♦Use Undo Freely. It's How You Learn
Stuck? Hit undo. Made a mistake? Hit undo. It's not cheating. It's the best way to learn. Try a sequence, see what happens, undo if it didn't work, and try something else. Over time, you'll start spotting dead ends before you reach them.
♦How to Win at FreeCell
You win when all 52 cards are on the four foundation piles, each containing a complete suit from Ace through King. The game detects your win automatically, and often the final cards cascade to the foundations on their own once the outcome is certain.
About 99.999% of FreeCell deals are solvable, so winning is almost always possible if you play well enough. Beginners typically win around 40-50% of their games. Intermediate players hit 70-80%. Experts consistently clear 90%+.
Every loss teaches you something because you know it was a strategic mistake, not bad luck. That's why FreeCell is so addictive. There's always room to improve, and a hard-earned win actually feels like you did something.
Typical Win Rates by Skill Level
♣Key FreeCell Terminology
These are the terms you'll see in strategy guides and FreeCell discussions. Worth knowing so you can follow along.
♠Quick Tips for Beginners
Keep these in mind for your first few games. They'll help you build good habits early.
Always free up Aces and 2s as early as possible. Low cards belong on foundations, not blocking columns.
Keep free cells empty whenever you can. Filling all four is often a game-ending mistake.
Empty columns are even more powerful than free cells. Creating and preserving empty columns should be a top priority.
Plan several moves ahead before committing. If you can’t explain why you’re making a move, don’t make it.
Prefer building in-suit sequences when possible. They can be sent directly to foundations without being broken apart.
Don’t place Kings in empty columns unless you have a clear reason. Kings are hard to move once placed.
Use the undo button liberally. It’s the fastest way to develop your strategic intuition.
Keep foundation piles roughly balanced. One suit far ahead of the others can block auto-moves for the rest.
Ready to Play?
You know the rules. Every deal is solvable. The only question is whether you can find the path.