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FreeCell
FreeCell is the thinking person's solitaire. Unlike Klondike, all 52 cards are dealt face-up from the start, so there's no hidden information — every game is a pure logic puzzle. The four free cells give you temporary storage for maneuvering cards, and nearly every deal is solvable. FreeCell was popularized by its inclusion in Windows 95 and has been a favorite of solitaire players ever since.
FreeCell Rules
All 52 cards are dealt face-up into 8 tableau columns (first 4 columns get 7 cards, last 4 get 6). There are 4 free cells (temporary storage, one card each) and 4 foundation piles.
Build foundations up by suit from Ace to King (Ace, 2, 3... King). Build tableau columns down in alternating colors (red 6 on black 7). Any card can fill an empty column.
Only the top card of each column can be moved. You can move ordered sequences of alternating-color cards as a group, but only if there are enough free cells and empty columns to theoretically move them one at a time.
The maximum number of cards you can move at once is (1 + free cells) × 2^(empty columns). For example, with 2 free cells and 1 empty column, you can move up to 6 cards at once.
FreeCell Strategy & Tips
Keep free cells empty as long as possible
Free cells are your most limited resource. Every occupied free cell reduces the number of cards you can move at once. Use them only when necessary and free them up as soon as you can by moving cards to foundations or tableau.
Expose Aces and low cards early
Cards buried under high-value cards block your progress. Focus on uncovering Aces and 2s first. Getting cards to the foundations early opens up the board and gives you more room to maneuver.
Don't fill empty columns carelessly
Empty columns dramatically increase your moving power. Before filling one, make sure the move accomplishes something important — like uncovering a buried Ace. An empty column used for a King that goes nowhere is a wasted opportunity.
Plan several moves ahead
Since all cards are visible, there's no reason to move without a plan. Before touching a card, trace out the next 3-5 moves in your head. Ask: will this sequence of moves leave the board better or worse than it is now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you win every FreeCell game?
Almost. Of the original 32,000 numbered deals in Windows FreeCell, only one (#11982) is proven unsolvable. In general, over 99.99% of random FreeCell deals are winnable, making it one of the fairest solitaire games.
What makes FreeCell different from regular solitaire?
In FreeCell, all 52 cards are face-up from the start — there's no luck of the draw. The four free cells provide temporary card storage. This means virtually every game is winnable with the right strategy, unlike Klondike where some deals are unwinnable no matter what you do.
How many cards can I move at once in FreeCell?
The formula is (1 + empty free cells) × 2^(empty columns). With all 4 free cells empty and no empty columns, you can move 5 cards. With 4 free cells and 1 empty column, you can move 10. The game handles this automatically — it won't let you move more cards than theoretically possible.