FreeCell Solitaire
A Quick Guide
FreeCell uses a standard deck of 52 cards.
FreeCell uses a standard deck of 52 cards.
The goal of the game is to organize suits in the Foundation cells in ascending order.
The goal of the game is to organize suits in the Foundation cells in ascending order.
Each of the four Free Cells can hold a card, allowing you to release the card under it.
Each of the four Free Cells can hold a card, allowing you to release the card under it.
Move multiple cards between the columns by temporarily placing them in a different column. You can move up to 5 cards at a time, depending on the number of empty Free Cells.
Move multiple cards between the columns by temporarily placing them in a different column. You can move up to 5 cards at a time, depending on the number of empty Free Cells.
Organize cards in descending order and alternating colors within the Tableau.
Organize cards in descending order and alternating colors within the Tableau.
Video Tutorial
How to play FreeCell Solitaire in a few minutes
Stimulate Your Mind With FreeCell Solitaire
Indulge in FreeCell Solitaire and experience a single-player game with mind-stimulating capabilities. The process of decision-making in complicated situations is a fun challenge that your mind will thank you for. Playing FreeCell, while seemingly simple, can demand all your attention — but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, FreeCell taking up all your thinking space makes it the perfect boredom-alleviating, brain-developing exercise.
FreeCell Solitaire can help you connect better with real-life problems. Winning requires sheer skill, not luck, and the more you play, the more you’ll hone your winning strategies. While the stress of mysterious face-down cards in other Solitaire variations can make you anxious, you won’t have that problem with FreeCell.
Yet the challenge is just as staggering and enjoyable with a fully revealed deck of cards and no unseen curveballs! If you dislike surprises, FreeCell Solitaire might just be your game of choice.
Welcome to the tremendously popular FreeCell Solitaire, a game designed to relieve stress with pure logical challenges.
Are you ready to step into the nostalgic world of FreeCell?
Playing FreeCell Solitaire — The Layout
FreeCell Solitaire boasts a layout of all face-up cards in a straightforward fashion that beckons any Solitaire fan to come and play. But wait! There’s a challenge to all the openness. This game is all about directing your moves to lead your cards to their Foundation piles. Easy, right? Well, look closer at the layout and you’ll see that there’s a subtle madness to the simplicity.
1.The Tableau
The largest section of the layout is the tableau, with eight columns of stacked cards. A deck of 52 cards in a game is dealt almost equally into the columns. The first four columns have 7 cards each, and the next four columns have 6 cards each. All the cards are face-up. That’s right — there are no face-down cards to reveal!
2.Free Cells
These are space holders that can temporarily hold cards, one in each cell, while you organize your stacks. Don’t just regard these Free Cells nonchalantly. When you start playing, you will wish you had more than just four of them! Moving cards to the Free Cells requires some careful planning. Think a few steps ahead before you decide to move a card to the Free Cell. A thoughtless move could prove to be a costly mistake, so be careful!
3.Foundation
There are four Foundation slots available in Free Cell Solitaire to hold the four suits of your 52-card deck in ascending order. Your Foundation is regarded as the home base for your cards.
No Stockpile. No Wastepile. No Redeals.
There is no Stockpile or Wastepile in FreeCell. This translates to no redeals when accessing a disposable stash of cards. Instead, our trusty UNDO button will be a lifesaver when you make a wrong move.
Ready to Win Every Time?
1.Your main objective is to move all your cards to the Foundation cells in their respective suits, from Ace to King. These spots are the homes for the cards in your game. But be careful — only the top card on each Foundation pile can be released if you need to use it somewhere in the Tableau. Every time you free up an Ace to move to the Foundation, you can release a sigh of relief. After all, you’re one step closer to reorganizing the chaotic layout of the columns.
2.You can move cards around the Tableau columns to free up any cards to complete their suit in the Foundation. Cards in the Tableau columns must be organized in descending order and with alternating colors. You can either move cards by themselves or as a sequence of up to five cards. This limitation adds a fresh challenge to the game, encouraging you to come up with creative solutions. Freeing up a column makes it an additional space to park cards that you want to free up. Use these empty spots wisely!
3.You’re going to need some space to park a card to free up the card behind it. Good news — in FreeCell, you have four of them! The four Free Cells are the perfect hotspots to hold any card temporarily to get to a blocked card. Your choice of which cards to place in a Free Cell can significantly either help or hurt your game. Your Free Cells can also help you move a sequence of cards to another spot on the Tableau columns. The maximum number of cards you can move in a sequence is five cards — four through the Free Cells and one by itself. The more cards that are parked in your Free Cells, the smaller of a sequence you’ll be able to move. Therefore, keeping your Free Cells available is crucial to gameplay.
The Challenge
Organize cards on the Tableau in their respective suits, in alternating colors, AND in descending order.
Tip!
Don’t fear! Our UNDO button will save you in a world where undo’s usually aren’t possible.
Simple Keyboard Shortcuts
Calling all keyboard fanatics! This one’s for you. Here are your trusty shortcuts for Windows and Apple computers to accommodate your unique style of gameplay.
Ready to let those sticky fingers fly?
Windows
Undo:
Ctr
+
Z
or
Backspace
Hint:
H
Navigate:
Select:
Space
(once)
Move:
Space
in the new spot
Mac
Undo:
delete
or
Hint:
H
Navigate:
Select:
Space
(once)
Move:
Space
in the new spot
We’re Cheering Your Every Move!
Engross yourself in the skill-building realm of FreeCell! We’ve built this entire cosmos to nurture your experience.
Winning Tips and Quirky Tricks
Move Your Aces and Deuces First
As soon as they are free, move your Aces and their corresponding Twos (and Threes) to the Foundation. This strategy will free up the rest of your cards to move home as soon as they are free.
Strategy is The Name of The Game
Remember, the end goal of the game is to organize all the cards on the Tableau into the Foundation piles. Planning and strategizing a few moves ahead will help you free up jailed cards, free up the Free Cells, and promptly move cards to the Foundation.
Your Aces Should Your Main Goal, But That’s Not All
While freeing up your Aces should be your top priority, remember there are other cards to follow too. Refrain from focusing solely on Aces or a single card and getting locked in the process.
Focus On the Goal — But Not Too Much
While the end goal is to move the cards to the Foundation, moving them all may lock other moves from execution. Limit yourself to moving only the Aces, Twos, and Threes at first.
Our Hints Are Helpful
Is your mind foggy after a few games? Use our HINT button to bring more clarity.
Did you know?
99.999% of FreeCell games are winnable!
99.99%
Did you know?
Oregon Health & Science University reported that FreeCell can be used to spot the earliest signs of dementia.
Did you know?
On August 2, 1991, Stephen Twigg won the Guinness World Record for the fastest Solitaire win of 10 seconds.
00:10
Fun Fact!
FreeCell is derived from the game Eight Off.
Fun Fact!
FreeCell is often used by programmers to test the efficiency and speed of their designed computer programs.
More Power to You!
We understand that playing Solitaire is not just about the game — it’s about the experience. Our platform is built to bring players to the heart of Solitaire. Your triumphs, challenges, and overall play experience drive our purpose. Let’s win together!
Start playing any of your favorite Solitaire games, such as:
- Solitaire
- Spider
- FreeCell
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