FreeCell gained massive popularity in the 1990s when it was included as one of the card games in Microsoft Windows. It's unique among Solitaire games because it's a game more of skill and strategy than luck with almost all deals being solvable. The goal of FreeCell Solitaire is to arrange the cards in ascending order into four piles each having 13 cards of identical suits from ace to king.
Along with Spider Solitaire and classic Klondike, FreeCell became one of the most played Solitaire games around the world. Now it's time to explore FreeCell Solitaire rules and learn how to play this game.
FreeCell Solitaire requires laying out a standard deck of 52 cards in a specific order. There are three main areas in the game: the tableau, four foundation piles, and four free cells.
So, let's go over the FreeCell Solitaire rules in more detail.
Your goal is to move all the cards to the foundation piles by organizing them by suit and in ascending order, starting from an ace and ending with a king. Here's how four completed sequences of cards stacked in the foundation piles would look like:
FreeCell is the type of Solitaire game where strategy rather than luck plays a key role. It's not difficult to learn how to play FreeCell Solitaire. But, since its rules significantly differ from classic Solitaire, they are worth paying attention to.
The game's goal is to stack all 4 ascending sequences of cards from the ace to the king for each suit in the foundation. You can only send to the foundation the accessible card from each column. Since the initial card layout is randomized, you need to move the cards around the tableau to get to the cards you need.
A card can be moved from one tableau column to another tableau column if it is one rank lower and of an alternating color. For example, a red 7 can be moved onto a black 8.
In this way, you can make sequences of cards. The cards in the sequence must be arranged in descending order and alternate by color. You can also move such a sequence from one column to another, provided that the top card of the sequence is one rank lower and of the opposite colorto the card it is moved to.
There is one important difference between FreeCell and other types of Solitaire. Having made a descending sequence with alternating colors on the tableau you can't always move the whole sequence to another column. The maximum number of cards in the sequence that you can move is equal to the number of empty spaces in free cells plus 1. For example, if all 4 free cells are empty, you can move a sequence of 4+1=5 cards. If only three free cells are empty, you can move a sequence of 3+1=4 cards.
Four foundation piles are assembled in ascending order from the ace to the king, sorted by suit. Cards are moved here from the tableau or free cells automatically as the play progresses.
Four free cells can temporarily hold cards from the tableau. Holding cards in free cells allows you to free up moves that would otherwise be impossible. However, the fewer cards you place in the free cells, the greater the number of cards in the sequences you can move.
Any available card or sequence of cards can be moved to an empty tableau column. However, try to use the empty column strategically. You may end up moving a card or sequence that blocks further moves on the tableau.
Once you have arranged all of the cards, suited and in ascending order, into the four foundation piles you have won the game. Now that you have learned how to play FreeCell Solitaire, you can go directly to the game and test your ability to think strategically!
FreeCell Solitaire requires strategic planning. Below, we have some useful tips that will help you win.
At the beginning of the game, prioritize moving aces and twos to the foundation piles as soon as you can. This clears out tableau space and begins the foundation stacks.
The free cells are important for maneuvering cards around. Use them to temporarily hold cards that are blocking others you need to access. However, remember to keep them as empty as possible for greater flexibility.
Clearing an entire column creates an open space that can be used to move sequences of cards. Kings are the best candidates for filling empty columns since they are the highest rank and cannot be placed on any other card. It's also a good idea to put there a card or sequence that prevents you from making further moves on the tableau.
Think about how a move will impact your options for future moves before you make it. Try to plan several steps ahead.
The odds of winning FreeCell Solitaire are significantly higher than those of many other Solitaire games. Skilled players potentially achieve win rates of over 99%. Unlike games that are heavily dependent on the initial deal, nearly every game of FreeCell can be won. Give FreeCell Solitaire a try, and you'll find yourself engrossed in its thrilling gameplay.
