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.
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.
New to FreeCell or looking to improve? Read the complete FreeCell Solitaire Guide →
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!
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?
