How to play FreeCell: rules and strategy

FreeCell is the solitaire game of pure skill: every card is face up from the start, and nearly every deal can be won.

The setup

• One 52-card deck, dealt face up into 8 columns (four of 7 cards and four of 6).
• Four free cells (top left): each holds one card.
• Four foundations (top right): one per suit, built from Ace to King.

The moves

• Columns: place a card on another that’s one higher and the opposite color (a red 8 on a black 9).
• Free cells: move any top card into an empty free cell, and later back to a column or a foundation.
• Foundations: start with the Ace and add the same suit in order.
• Empty columns: any card (or valid run) can go there.
• Moving runs: you can move several cards in a valid run at once if you have enough space to do it one card at a time. You can move up to (empty free cells + 1) × 2 for each empty column.

How to win

Move all 52 cards to the foundations.

FreeCell strategy

1. Plan before the first move. Everything is visible: find the Aces and 2s and work out how to dig them out.
2. Keep free cells free. Every card you park makes the next moves harder. Use a cell only when it leads somewhere.
3. Empty a column early. An empty column is worth more than a free cell: it doubles how many cards you can move.
4. Free low cards first. Aces and 2s buried under long runs block everything else.
5. Don’t rush to the foundations with cards you might still need to hold a lower card of the other color.

Play FreeCell online

Kepo FreeCell Solitaire is free in your browser with no ads. Every deal is proven winnable, safe cards go to the foundations by themselves, and you can move whole runs at once. It also has unlimited undo and hints.