What Is FreeCell?
FreeCell is a solitaire card game played with a single standard 52-card deck. Unlike most solitaire variants, nearly every FreeCell deal is winnable — roughly 99.999% of all possible deals have a solution. That fact alone sets FreeCell apart: winning depends almost entirely on skill and planning rather than luck.
The game was popularized in the early 1990s when it shipped with Microsoft Windows, and it has remained one of the most-played solitaire variants ever since. Its open-information layout — every card is visible from the start — makes it a favourite among players who enjoy strategic thinking and puzzle-solving.
How to Set Up FreeCell
FreeCell uses the following layout:
- Tableau — 8 columns of cards dealt face-up. The first four columns receive 7 cards each, and the remaining four columns receive 6 cards each. All 52 cards are dealt out, and every card is visible.
- Free cells — 4 empty spaces in the upper-left corner. These serve as temporary holding spots for individual cards.
- Foundations — 4 empty spaces in the upper-right corner. This is where you build each suit from Ace through King to win the game.
Because every card is dealt face-up, you have complete information about the game state from the very first move.
Rules of FreeCell
Objective
Move all 52 cards to the four foundation piles, building each foundation in suit from Ace up to King (A, 2, 3 … Q, K).
Moving Cards in the Tableau
- You may move the top card of any tableau column to another column if the destination card is one rank higher and of the opposite colour. For example, a black 6 can be placed on a red 7.
- You may move a card to an empty tableau column — any card can fill an empty column.
- You may move a card to a free cell, as long as that cell is empty. Each free cell holds only one card at a time.
- You may move a card from a free cell back to the tableau or directly to a foundation at any time.
Building on the Foundations
Cards are placed on foundations in ascending order by suit: Ace first, then 2, 3, and so on up to King. Once a card is placed on a foundation it typically stays there, although some implementations allow you to move it back.
Supermoves Explained
In physical card play you can only move one card at a time, shuttling cards through free cells and empty columns to rearrange sequences. Most digital versions of FreeCell automate this process with a feature called the supermove.
A supermove lets you move an ordered sequence of cards (descending rank, alternating colour) as a single action, provided there are enough free cells and empty columns to theoretically perform the individual moves. The maximum number of cards you can move at once is determined by this formula:
$$ \text{Max cards} = (1 + f) \times 2^{e} $$
Where:
- f = the number of empty free cells
- e = the number of empty tableau columns
Supermove Examples
| Empty Free Cells (f) | Empty Columns (e) | Max Cards Movable |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | 0 | 5 |
| 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | 2 | 20 |
Understanding the supermove formula is essential for planning multi-card sequences. Before starting a complex rearrangement, count your open cells and columns to confirm the move is possible.
Building Sequences
In the tableau, sequences are built down in rank and in alternating colours (red-black-red-black). For instance, a valid sequence might be: red Queen → black Jack → red 10 → black 9 → red 8.
Building long, ordered sequences is important, but only when you can move them where they need to go. A beautiful 8-card run is useless if you don’t have the free cells and empty columns to relocate it.
Strategy Tips for Winning FreeCell
1. Plan Before You Move
Study the entire layout before making your first move. Identify where the Aces and low cards are buried, and formulate a rough plan for freeing them.
2. Keep Free Cells Open
Free cells are your most valuable resource. Filling all four early in the game severely limits your options. Try to keep at least one or two free cells open at all times.
3. Create Empty Columns
Empty tableau columns are even more powerful than free cells because they double the number of cards you can supermove. Prioritise clearing a column when possible, and avoid filling empty columns without a good reason.
4. Uncover Aces and Twos First
The sooner you get low-ranked cards to the foundations, the more room you create in the tableau. Target buried Aces and Twos as a first priority.
5. Build on High Cards
When building tableau sequences, try to anchor them on Kings or other high cards. This gives you the longest possible ordered runs and reduces the need for re-arrangement later.
6. Think Several Moves Ahead
FreeCell rewards forward planning. Before committing to a move, trace the resulting chain of moves mentally. If you can’t see where a sequence of moves leads, it may be better to try a different path.
7. Don’t Auto-send to Foundations Too Aggressively
Some implementations automatically move cards to the foundations. This can occasionally lock you out of using those cards in the tableau. In games where you have control, only send cards to the foundations when you’re sure you won’t need them for intermediate moves.
8. Use Undo Sparingly for Learning
Many digital versions offer an undo feature. While using it improves win rates, practising without it sharpens your analytical skills.
FreeCell Win Rate
With perfect play, approximately 99.999% of FreeCell deals are solvable. Out of the first 32,000 numbered deals catalogued by early Microsoft FreeCell players, only deal #11982 was proven to be unsolvable. Experienced players typically win between 75% and 95% of games depending on how carefully they plan.
FreeCell vs. Klondike
| Feature | FreeCell | Klondike |
|---|---|---|
| Cards visible | All 52 | Only some (face-down cards) |
| Luck factor | Very low | Moderate to high |
| Win rate (perfect play) | ~99.999% | ~79% (thoughtful, 3-card draw) |
| Difficulty | Strategic | Mixed luck and strategy |
| Stock/waste pile | None | Yes |
FreeCell is the better choice for players who enjoy pure strategy, while Klondike offers a more casual, luck-influenced experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every FreeCell game winnable?
Nearly. Analysis shows only a tiny fraction of possible deals — roughly 1 in 100,000 — are unsolvable. For all practical purposes, if you lose a FreeCell game it’s almost certainly solvable with different moves.
How many free cells should I keep open?
As many as possible. A good rule of thumb is to never use the last free cell unless it directly leads to a foundation play or the uncovering of a critical card.
Can I move a King to an empty column?
Yes. Any card, including a King, can be placed in an empty tableau column.
What’s the best first move in FreeCell?
There’s no universal best first move, but revealing Aces and Twos or creating opportunities for long descending sequences are generally strong opening strategies.
How long does a typical FreeCell game take?
Most games take between 5 and 15 minutes. Complex deals that require deep planning may take longer, while straightforward deals can be solved in just a few minutes.
FreeCell is one of the most rewarding solitaire games you can play. Because nearly every deal is solvable, every loss is an invitation to try again with a better plan. Study the layout, keep your free cells open, and think ahead — those three habits will carry you to a consistently high win rate.