How to Play FreeCell

THE PLAYBOOK · HBZQCZZ

How to play FreeCell

Start FreeCell by looking at the playing area and its controls. Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Look at what changes after your first action.

One face-up deck. Transfer capacity counts available cells and spare empty columns. Free solo play, no wagering.

Review a difficult moment

When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round. Notice the feedback after each input.

Your goal

Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Follow this game’s rules rather than another version’s.

Step by step

1. Build down in alternating colours; four cells each hold one card. Empty columns accept any legal group.
2. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
3. Use foundations where available; full Spider or Scorpion runs clear automatically.
4. Undo reverses a choice. New deal shuffles again.

Controls

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.

A useful example

With two empty cells and no spare empty column, a group of at most three cards can move together. Apply the same reasoning to the position in your own round. Notice the change in the playing area.

Watch out for this

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. Compare the situation with the worked example. Before your first action, say what you are trying to achieve. Then compare the result with the goal.

Common questions