FreeCell Rules

Objective

Build all four foundation piles from Ace to King in perfect suit order while juggling the tableau with care. Your four free cells act like tiny storage shelves you reach for only when you’re truly cornered. FreeCell plays almost like a calm, methodical puzzle, and the fun comes from realizing that almost every deal is winnable if you stay patient, think ahead, and keep the board breathing.

Material

One standard 52 card deck ranked from King down to Ace:

A♠ 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠

Setup

Layout:

• 8 tableau columns (your main playground)
• 4 free cells (temporary holding spots on the top left)
• 4 foundation piles (your final goal on the top right)

Initial Deal

Deal all 52 cards face up into 8 columns.

• First 4 columns receive 7 cards each
• Last 4 columns receive 6 cards each

All cards sit visible from the start, which gives FreeCell that “I see everything” feeling. Only the bottom card of each column is playable at first, but as you move cards around, the structure opens up.

Example visible cards at the bottom of columns:

7♠ K♥ A♦ 5♣ J♥ 2♠ Q♦ 9♣

These bottom cards are immediately playable, and every move you make frees something new above them.

How to Play

Basic Rules

1. Moving Cards in the Tableau:

• Build downward by alternating colors (red on black, black on red)
• Move one card at a time unless you have extra room from free cells or empty columns
• Only the bottom card of each column is free to move

Tableau Building Examples

A clean example is placing 7♥ on 8♠ since they alternate in color. You can also slide Q♠ onto K♦ for the same reason. But 6♥ on 7♦ does not work because both cards are red, and FreeCell is strict about that.

Free Cells Usage

Your free cells act like tiny workbenches.

• Each free cell holds one card
• Any exposed card can move there
• Cards parked in free cells can return to the tableau or go to the foundations
• Good use of free cells keeps the game flowing smoothly

Free Cell Example

Problem: 7♦ blocks the move you need, and you want to place 5♥ onto 6♠. Solution:

1. Move 7♦ into a free cell
2. Place 5♥ on 6♠
3. Bring 7♦ back later if useful

This little dance happens constantly in FreeCell.

Foundation Building

Foundations grow from Ace upward in their matching suit.

• Start with the Ace
• Add cards in perfect order: A → 2 → 3 → ... → K
• Once you tuck a card safely into a foundation, it rarely comes back

Moving Card Sequences

You can move longer sequences if you have enough room to “shift” them using free cells or empty columns.

Formula: Maximum movable sequence = (Free cells + 1) × (Empty columns + 1)

Example calculations:

| Free Cells | Empty Columns | Max Sequence | |------------|---------------|--------------| | 4 | 0 | 5 cards | | 3 | 1 | 8 cards | | 2 | 2 | 9 cards | | 4 | 2 | 15 cards | | 0 | 3 | 4 cards |

Sequence Move Example

You want to move 7♠–6♥–5♣–4♦ as one smooth block.

• A 4 card group requires either 3 free cells or a mix of free cells and one open column
• Use your free cells to lift pieces temporarily
• Then rebuild the sequence where you want it

Scoring

FreeCell doesn’t track points. You either clear everything and smile, or you run out of space and start over.

Winning

| Outcome | Result | |---------|--------| | All foundations complete | You win | | No legal moves | You lose | | Restart | Fresh game |

Success Rate

Almost every FreeCell deal can be beaten.

• Around 99.99 percent of games are winnable
• Skilled players often win around 70 to 80 percent
• Microsoft FreeCell deal #11982 is the legendary exception everyone bumps into once

Strategy Tips

Opening Moves Priority

1. Expose Aces and Twos early: Move Aces to the foundations the moment you see them and follow with Twos. Freeing small ranks always opens space.

2. Empty columns are gold:

• They can hold any card
• They let you move long sequences
• Creating one early gives you flexibility all game long

3. Think ahead: Plan two or three moves in advance and avoid stuffing free cells “just because”.

Free Cell Management

Kings are excellent candidates for free cell parking when they sit on something you need. Aces, however, should never be parked. They belong on foundations immediately.

Advanced Techniques

1. Supermove planning: Estimate how many cards you can shift at once. This helps you avoid dead ends.

2. Empty column strategy: Use empty columns as staging zones for long sequences, especially ones beginning with Kings.

3. Foundation timing: Move cards to the foundations with care. Sometimes you need a card in the tableau before you lock it away forever.

Common Mistakes

Filling all free cells. When every free cell is full, the game becomes stiff and hard to maneuver.

Blocking Aces. Never bury an Ace under a long chain.

Rushing foundations. Moving cards there too early can backfire and trap your sequences.

Ending the Game

Victory Condition

You win once every foundation pile reaches the King of its suit, meaning all fifty two cards have found their final home.

Auto Complete

Most modern FreeCell versions detect a guaranteed victory and finish the game for you. It usually happens when a large part of the tableau is organized.

Loss Condition

You lose when every path forward is blocked, free cells are full, and nothing meaningful can move.

Variants

Eight Off

• Uses eight free cells instead of four
• Cards start face down except the top ones
• A more forgiving version of FreeCell

Baker's Game

• Sequences build by suit rather than alternating color
• Far more demanding and punishing
• Ideal if you enjoy a real brain stretch

Seahaven Towers

• Start with two cards already in free cells
• Ten tableau columns holding five cards each
• Empty columns accept Kings only

FreeCell Pro (Challenge Mode)

• Move timers
• Speed based scoring
• Limited undo options for players who like pressure