FreeCell – how to play

FreeCell is a solitaire of thinking, not luck. All 52 cards are face up from the start, and four free cells let you put cards aside for a while. Almost every deal can be won if you plan well.

How to play, step by step

Step 1

The cards on the table

You play with one deck of 52 cards, all face up in 8 columns. At the top left are 4 free cells, at the top right 4 places for the foundations. There is no stock: every card is on the table.

4 free cells 4 foundations 8 columns, face up

1. 1 4 free cells
2. 2 4 foundations
3. 3 8 columns, face up

Step 2

Build down in alternating colours

Put a card on a card one rank higher of the other colour. For example, the 9 of hearts goes on the 10 of spades, but not on the 10 of diamonds.

Red 9 on black 10 Not red on red

1. 1 Red 9 on black 10
2. 2 Not red on red

Step 3

Put a card aside in a free cell

Any card from the top of a column can go into an empty free cell. Each cell holds one card. Later you play the card from the cell onto a column or a foundation.

Into a free cell One card per cell

1. 1 Into a free cell
2. 2 One card per cell

Step 4

Move several cards at once

A run of cards in alternating colours can be moved together, as long as there is room: every empty free cell and every empty column lets you move more cards. With 4 free cells you can move 5 cards at once.

3 cards at once Free room

1. 1 3 cards at once
2. 2 Free room

Step 5

Use an empty column

Any card, or a run that fits the free room, can go into an empty column. An empty column is worth even more than a free cell, so use it with care.

Empty column Any card

1. 1 Empty column
2. 2 Any card

Step 6

Build the foundations

Start each foundation with an Ace and build up to the King in one suit. Drag a card there, or double-click it (on a phone, tap it). A double-click on a card that cannot go up puts it into a free cell.

Start with an Ace 2 on the Ace

1. 1 Start with an Ace
2. 2 2 on the Ace

Why can almost every deal be won?

• All cards are face up from the start: nothing is hidden, so you can plan ahead.
• The free cells and empty columns let you take long runs apart and put them back together.
• Only very few deals cannot be won, so a lost deal usually means another plan would have worked.

Scoring

With timed scoring (the default) you lose 2 points for every 10 seconds of play, and a quick win earns a time bonus. You can switch to standard scoring in the Options.

Tips

• Keep free cells empty as long as you can. Every full cell makes the runs you can move shorter.
• Free the Aces and 2s early: they are often deep in the columns.
• Try to empty a column. It helps more than a free cell.
• Stuck? Undo a few moves and try another plan, or play the same deal again with Retry game.

Rules of other solitaire games

• Klondike – rules
• Double klondike – rules
• Spider – rules
• Forty Thieves – rules