FreeCell Solitaire
The Classic Strategy Game
I remember staring at FreeCell games, completely baffled. Even though I'd read that nearly every deal could be solved, I kept hitting dead ends and getting stuck. Then everything changed when I discovered proper FreeCell strategy through a YouTube video - I realized I'd been playing it all wrong from the start! Once the tactics clicked, I was completely hooked. Now I've created this version to share the game that challenged and changed how I think about solitaire. You can play it anywhere - your laptop, phone, tablet, or desktop computer. It's completely free at CardAndPuzzle.com, with no downloads or signups needed. Whether you're still learning the ropes or already a FreeCell master, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing those cards automatically slide into place when you've solved the puzzle perfectly.
The Setup
FreeCell is played with a standard 52-card deck without Jokers. Here's how the game is set up:
- The Tableau: Eight columns of cards, all face up. The first four columns contain seven cards each, and the last four contain six cards each.
- Free Cells: Four empty cells for temporarily storing cards.
- Foundation: Four piles for building up each suit from Ace to King.
- All Cards Visible: Unlike most solitaire games, all cards are face-up from the start!
New to FreeCell or looking to improve? Read the complete FreeCell Solitaire Guide →
How to Play
FreeCell is a game of careful planning and strategy. Your goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles while working within these rules:
- Moving Cards: Move cards between tableau columns in descending order with alternating colors (e.g., a red 6 on a black 7).
- Using Free Cells: Store any single card temporarily in an empty free cell.
- Building Foundations: Build up each foundation pile from Ace to King by suit.
- Moving Sequences: Move multiple cards together if you have enough free cells and empty columns to support the move.
Moving Multiple Cards
Understanding how many cards you can move at once is key to mastering FreeCell:
- The Formula: Number of Free Cells + 1 = Maximum moveable cards
- Example: With 2 free cells: 2 + 1 = 3 cards can be moved together
- Auto-Check: The game automatically prevents moving more cards than allowed
The Scoring
In FreeCell, your score comes from two sources: move points and time bonus.
Move Points
- First Two Minutes: - Moving to foundation: +20 points - Moving from foundation: -20 points
- After Two Minutes: - Moving to foundation: +10 points - Moving from foundation: -10 points
- All other moves: 0 points
Time Bonus
- 700,000 divided by your completion time in seconds
- Example: Finish in 4 minutes (240 seconds) = 2,916 bonus points
- No time bonus for games under 30 seconds
Strategy Guide
- Focus on creating empty columns early - they're essential for organizing your sequences.
- Treat your free cells as valuable resources - only use them for crucial moves when building your King sequences.
- Plan several moves ahead, especially when deciding which cards to place in your free cells.
- Try to prioritize getting a King to an empty column and building the sequence from there.
- Don't rush to move cards to the foundation - sometimes they're more useful in the tableau for building sequences.
Why Play FreeCell?
- Pure Strategy: Success depends entirely on skill - no luck involved.
- High Win Rate: With proper strategy, over 99% of games can be won.
- Clear Progress: All cards visible from the start - plan your entire game.
- Perfect Balance: Easy to learn, yet challenging to master.
Ready to Test Your Skills?
Whether you're new to FreeCell or returning to refine your strategy, each game offers a fresh puzzle to solve. Start playing now and discover why this unique solitaire variant has captivated players for decades. Can you find the solution to today's game?
