How FreeCell works
FreeCell has no stock and no hidden cards. All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns, so every move you make is a decision, not a gamble.
- Foundations. Build the four piles at the top right from Ace up to King, one suit each.
- Columns. Build down in alternating colours: a black 7 goes on a red 8.
- Free cells. The four spaces at the top left each hold one card. Use them to park a card while you reach the one underneath.
- Empty columns. Once a column is empty, any card can go in it. Treat it as a bigger free cell.
Moving several cards at a time
The rules only let you move one card at a time, but you can move a whole run as if you were using the free cells and empty columns as stepping stones. The longest run you can move is (free cells + 1) × 2empty columns, not counting the column you are moving to if it is empty. With no free cells and no empty columns you can move a single card.
Tips for winning at FreeCell
- Free the Aces and 2s first. Low cards buried at the bottom of a column block the foundations.
- Keep free cells empty. Each full cell cuts the length of the runs you can move. Park a card only when it unlocks something.
- Make an empty column early, and keep it empty until it makes a big difference.
- Look before you move. Every card is visible, so you can plan five moves ahead. Use Undo to test a plan.
- Do not send cards up too soon. Foundations are not a place to hide cards. A card on the table can still carry a run.
Other games
Frequently asked questions
How do I play FreeCell?
Build the four foundations from Ace to King in each suit. Move cards between eight columns, building down in alternating colours, and park up to four single cards in the free cells at the top left while you rearrange.
Is every FreeCell deal winnable?
Almost. Nearly all random FreeCell deals can be won with the right play, which is why it feels fair to lose: the solution was there. A very small number of deals have no solution.
Can I move several cards at once?
Yes. You can move a run of cards in descending order and alternating colours, but only as many as you have room for. With free cells and empty columns available you can move more: (free cells + 1) × 2 for each empty column. The game works this out for you and will not let you make an illegal move.
What goes in an empty column?
Any card, or any valid run you can move.
What does auto-play do?
When a card is no longer needed on the table, because nothing can ever be built on it, the game sends it to the foundation for you. You can turn this off in Settings.
Is there a score?
FreeCell is not scored. The leaderboard ranks by finishing time, then by number of moves.