How to Play FreeCell Solitaire
FreeCell Solitaire is a skill-based card game where all 52 cards are dealt face-up across eight columns. Nearly 99.999% of FreeCell deals are mathematically winnable, making strategy the deciding factor in every game. The game uses four temporary storage spaces called free cells. It also has four Foundation piles where you build each suit from Ace to King. Players who apply basic FreeCell strategy improve their win rate from roughly 30% to over 80%.
What Is FreeCell Solitaire?
FreeCell Solitaire is a single-player card game where every card is visible from the start. Unlike Klondike Solitaire, there are no face-down cards and no stock pile to draw from.
The game uses one standard 52-card deck. All cards are dealt face-up into eight columns on the Tableau (the main playing area). This open layout means every game is a puzzle you can solve through planning, not luck.
FreeCell first appeared on the PLATO computer system in the mid-1970s. Paul Alfille later improved the game for UNIX systems in the late 1980s. It gained worldwide popularity when Microsoft bundled it with Windows 95 in 1995.
What makes FreeCell stand out among types of solitaire games is its winnability. Researchers tested millions of deals and found that 99.999% are solvable. Only one deal, number 11,982, has been confirmed as having no solution. With the right FreeCell strategy, most players win far more often than they expect.
How to Set Up a FreeCell Game
A FreeCell game uses a specific layout with three distinct areas: the Tableau, the free cells, and the Foundation piles.
The Tableau
The Tableau is the main playing area. It holds all 52 cards in eight columns. The first four columns each contain seven cards. The last four columns each contain six cards. Every card is face-up and visible from the start.
The Free Cells
Four empty spaces sit in the top-left corner of the board. These are the free cells that give the game its name. Each one holds a single card at a time. They act as temporary storage to help you rearrange cards on the Tableau.
The Foundation Piles
Four empty piles sit in the top-right corner. These are the Foundation piles, one for each suit: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. You build each Foundation in ascending order, starting with the Ace and ending with the King. For example, place the A♠ first, then the 2♠, then the 3♠, and so on.
No Stock Pile
FreeCell does not include a stock pile or Waste pile. Every card is already on the board when the game begins. This is a key difference from Klondike Solitaire, where you draw face-down cards from a stock pile.
FreeCell Rules: How Cards Move
FreeCell rules control how you move cards between the Tableau, free cells, and Foundation piles. Each area follows its own set of movement rules.
Moving Cards on the Tableau
You can place a card on another if it is one rank lower and the opposite color. For example, place the 7♥ on the 8♠, or the 10♣ on the J♦. Only the top card in each column can be moved.
You cannot place a card on another card of the same color. For example, the 6♦ cannot go on the 7♥ because both are red. The 6♦ would need a black 7, like the 7♠ or 7♣.
Building the Foundation
Move cards to the Foundation piles in ascending order by suit. Start with the Ace, then the 2, then the 3, and continue up to the King. For example, if the A♠ is available, move it to an empty Foundation pile. Then place the 2♠ on top of it when it becomes free.
You win the game when all 52 cards are moved to the four Foundation piles.
Using Free Cells
Move any single available card into an empty free cell. Each free cell holds only one card at a time. You can move that card back to the Tableau or directly to a Foundation pile when it fits.
Think of free cells as short-term parking spots. They give you room to rearrange, but filling all four limits your options.
Moving Multiple Cards (Supermoves)
By the official rules, FreeCell only allows you to move one card at a time. However, most online versions, including FreeCell on Solitaire.com, allow "supermoves." A supermove lets you move a properly ordered group of cards in one action.
The number of cards you can move depends on how many free cells and empty columns are open. The formula works like this: (empty free cells + 1) multiplied by 2 for each empty column. For example, with two empty free cells and one empty column, you can move up to six cards at once.
FreeCell Strategy: How to Win More Games
FreeCell strategy separates casual players from consistent winners. Players without a plan win about 30% of their games. Those who use the basic strategy win around 60%. Advanced players reach win rates above 80%.
These FreeCell tips will help you improve your results.
Keep Free Cells Open as Long as Possible
Resist the urge to fill your free cells early. Each occupied free cell reduces your ability to rearrange cards on the Tableau. Treat free cells as a last resort, not a first move.
Try to keep at least two free cells empty throughout the game. When all four cells are full, your options shrink. You can only place cards on Foundation piles or onto matching Tableau sequences-the game often stalls at this point.
Prioritize Empty Columns Over Free Cells
An empty Tableau column is more valuable than a free cell. A free cell holds one card that can only be returned to the Tableau or placed on a Foundation pile. An empty column can hold any card and lets you build temporary sequences.
For example, say you need to move a run of 5♣, 4♦, 3♠ to reach a buried Ace. An empty column gives you space to split and rebuild that sequence. A free cell cannot do this.
Move Aces and Low Cards to the Foundation Early
Aces and 2s rarely help you in the Tableau. Move them to the Foundation as soon as they become available. This frees up space without losing useful cards.
However, be careful with 3s and 4s. Moving them too quickly can limit your options if you still need them to hold sequences in the Tableau. Check whether the cards that depend on them are already in place before sending them up.
Scan the Full Board Before Your First Move
Before moving any card, look at all eight columns. Identify where the Aces are buried. Notice which columns have the most cards already in sequence. Find potential empty columns you can create quickly.
Planning your first three to five moves before touching a card gives you a clear advantage. This habit alone can significantly improve your win rate.
Work Through Every Column
Many players focus only on the leftmost columns. This leaves buried cards in later columns untouched for too long. Spread your attention evenly across all eight columns.
If a King sits on top of a short column, consider whether moving it helps or blocks your progress. Kings cannot be placed on other cards in the Tableau, so they only fit in empty columns.
Use the Undo and Hint Features
Solitaire.com offers an Unlimited Undo button and a Hint system. Use Undo to test different move sequences without penalty. Tap Hint when you cannot spot your next move.
These tools help you learn which decisions lead to wins and which ones create dead ends. Over time, you will recognize winning patterns faster.
Common FreeCell Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players make mistakes that cost them winnable games. Recognizing these errors early will improve your results.
Filling All Four Free Cells
This is the most common mistake in FreeCell. When all four free cells are occupied, your movement options drop sharply. You can only place cards directly onto Foundation piles or onto matching Tableau sequences. Always keep at least one free cell open as a safety net.
Ignoring Empty Columns
Empty Tableau columns offer more flexibility than free cells. Some players fill them immediately with the first available King. Instead, keep columns empty as long as possible. Use them as a working space to rearrange longer sequences.
Moving Cards to the Foundation Too Quickly
Sending mid-range cards like 5s, 6s, and 7s to the Foundation can backfire. You may still need those cards in the Tableau to hold sequences together.
For example, moving the 6♥ to the Foundation seems helpful. But if the 5♠ on your Tableau still needs a red 6 for a sequence, that option is gone.
Not Planning Ahead
FreeCell rewards thinking three to five moves ahead. Moving the first available card without a plan often leads to a blocked board. Take a moment to trace the chain of moves before committing to one path.
Is Every FreeCell Game Winnable?
Nearly every FreeCell deal has a solution. Researchers analyzed millions of possible deals and found that 99.999% are mathematically winnable. Of the original 32,000 numbered deals in early computer versions, only deal 11,982 has no known solution.
However, "winnable" does not mean "easy." The gap between theoretical winnability and actual win rates is significant. Most casual players win about 30% of their FreeCell games. With practice and a sound FreeCell strategy, that number climbs above 80%.
The difference comes down to planning. Because all 52 cards are visible from the start, every loss points to a missed sequence of moves. Tools like the Unlimited Undo button on Solitaire.com let you replay decisions and learn from each game.
Looking for a bigger challenge? Try Spider Solitaire for a more complex multi-deck puzzle.
FreeCell vs Klondike Solitaire: Key Differences
FreeCell and Klondike are both single-player card games, but they play very differently. Here is a quick comparison.
- Cards visible at start: FreeCell: All 52 face-up, Klondike: Some face up, many face down
- Stock pile: FreeCell: None, Klondike: Yes, draw cards from it
- Luck vs. skill: FreeCell: Mostly skill-based, Klondike: Mix of luck and skill
- Winnability (theoretical): FreeCell: 99.999%, Klondike: About 82%
- Casual win rate: FreeCell: Around 30%, Klondike: Around 15-25%
- Win rate with strategy: FreeCell: Over 80%, Klondike: Around 33%
- Temporary storage: FreeCell: 4 free cells, Klondike: None
Klondike Solitaire depends on the stock pile for face-down cards, which introduces a degree of luck. FreeCell shows every card from the beginning, making it a pure strategy game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreeCell harder than Klondike Solitaire?
FreeCell requires more deliberate planning because all cards are visible. Klondike involves more luck due to face-down cards and the stock pile. Many players find FreeCell more satisfying because wins feel earned through careful strategy rather than fortunate draws.
What is the best first move in FreeCell?
Look for Aces buried under short columns. Your first moves should focus on uncovering Aces and creating an empty column. Avoid using free cells during your opening moves when possible.
How many cards can I move at once in FreeCell?
The number depends on the number of free cells and columns. The formula is (empty free cells + 1) multiplied by 2 for each empty column. With all four free cells empty and one column open, you can move up to 10 cards at once.
Can I play FreeCell on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Solitaire.com works in any mobile browser with no downloads needed. You can also download the free app for iOS and Android devices.
Does FreeCell have a scoring system?
Solitaire.com uses classic scoring for FreeCell. You earn points by moving cards to the Foundation and completing the game efficiently.
Where can I play FreeCell online for free?
You can play FreeCell at Solitaire.com in your browser with no sign-up required. The game includes Unlimited Undo, a Hint button, and a Daily Challenge with a fresh puzzle every day.