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What is FreeCell Solitaire?

FreeCell Solitaire is a classic and highly strategic solitaire card game that challenges players to use logic and planning to clear the tableau. Unlike other solitaire variants, FreeCell is known for its open-information gameplay—every card is visible from the start, making each game solvable with the right strategy. The goal of the game is to move all the cards into four foundation piles, sorted by suit and in ascending order from Ace to King.

FreeCell Solitaire is unique due to its four free cells, which act as temporary storage for cards and play a critical role in gameplay. These cells provide flexibility, but managing them wisely is key to success. FreeCell's blend of strategy and skill has made it a favorite among solitaire enthusiasts for decades.

How to Play FreeCell Solitaire

Objective

The objective of FreeCell Solitaire is to move all the cards from the tableau to the four foundation piles. Each foundation pile must be built in ascending order by suit, starting with the Ace and ending with the King. Proper use of the free cells and careful planning are essential to achieving this goal.

Setup

FreeCell Solitaire uses a standard 52-card deck dealt face up into three distinct areas:

Tableau: The tableau consists of 8 columns. The first 4 columns each have 7 cards, and the remaining 4 columns have 6 cards. All cards are dealt face up, making all information available to the player from the start. The tableau is where you will build sequences in descending order and alternating colors to access cards.
Free Cells: These are the four open cells located in the top left corner of the game. Each free cell can hold one card at a time and acts as temporary storage, allowing you to move and rearrange cards strategically to clear paths in the tableau.
Foundation: The four foundation piles are located in the top right corner of the game. Your objective is to build these piles by suit in ascending order, starting from Ace and ending with King. Completing all four foundation piles wins the game.

Rules

FreeCell Solitaire is played with the following rules:

Cards in the tableau are built down by alternating colors (e.g., a red card can only be placed on a black card of the next higher rank).
You can move only one card at a time, unless you are moving a sequence of cards and there are enough empty free cells and/or tableau columns to facilitate the move.
The number of cards you can move at once is determined by the formula: (number of empty free cells + 1) x (number of empty tableau columns + 1). Here are some default cases:
- If there are four free cells open, you can move five cards.
- If there are three free cells open, you can move four cards.
- If there are two free cells open, you can move three cards.
- If there is one free cell open, you can move two cards.
- If there are no free cells open, you can move one card.
If you have an open tableau column in addition to free cells, you can move double the number of cards you normally could. For example:
- With 1 free cell open and 1 empty tableau column, you can move 4 cards (2 cards for the 1 free cell, multiplied by 2).
- This rule applies as long as you are not moving cards into the empty column itself, which would forfeit the doubling benefit.
Free cells can each hold one card and are used to temporarily store cards to help reorganize the tableau.
Empty tableau columns can be filled with any card or sequence of cards.
Once a card is placed in a foundation pile, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or free cells.
The game is won when all cards are moved to the foundation piles in the correct order.

Strategies for FreeCell Solitaire

Here are some effective strategies to help you win FreeCell Solitaire:

Prioritize Moving Aces and Twos: Early in the game, focus on uncovering and moving Aces and Twos to the foundation piles. This clears the way for higher-ranking cards and creates more options for subsequent moves.
Use Free Cells Wisely: Free cells are valuable resources. Avoid filling them up too quickly, as having empty free cells increases the number of cards you can move at once. Use them strategically to temporarily store cards that are blocking important moves.
Keep Tableau Columns Open: Clearing a tableau column is a powerful strategy. An empty column can act as an additional free cell, effectively doubling the number of cards you can move in a sequence. Try to create and maintain empty columns when possible.
Plan Multiple Moves Ahead: Since all cards are visible from the start, take the time to analyze the tableau and plan your moves. Think several steps ahead to avoid blocking essential cards or running out of moves.
Build Sequences Strategically: When building sequences in the tableau, prioritize creating sequences that will help you uncover buried cards or free up tableau columns. Avoid creating long sequences that might block other important moves.
Move Cards to the Foundation Piles Promptly: Whenever possible, move cards to the foundation piles. This clears the tableau and reduces the complexity of the game. However, avoid moving cards prematurely if they are needed to complete a sequence in the tableau.
Use the Undo Button: The undo button can be a lifesaver. Use it to experiment with different strategies or correct mistakes that might have blocked your progress.

Why Play FreeCell Solitaire?

FreeCell Solitaire offers a perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment, making it an excellent choice for players of all skill levels. Its open-information gameplay ensures that every game can be won with the right strategy, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment. Whether you're a seasoned solitaire enthusiast or a newcomer, FreeCell is a game that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. Try it today and discover why it remains one of the most popular solitaire games in the world!