Game Rules
FreeCellAll cards visible, everything plannable

A solitaire game with open information, where planning and free cells are central.

Players1
Duration8 – 15 Min
Deck52 Cards · 1 Deck
LevelMedium
I · Game Idea

Full Information,
Pure Calculation

I

FreeCell fundamentally differs from Klondike: All 52 cards are visible from the start. There is no element of chance from face-down cards – only the sequence of the solution needs to be found.

Four free cells serve as temporary storage for single cards – they are the key to solving complex positions.

II · Preparation

Before the
Game Begins

II
1
Set up the Tableau
8 columns with all 52 cards distributed face up – 4 columns with 7 cards, 4 columns with 6 cards.
2
Prepare Free Cells
4 empty cells in the top left for temporary storage.
3
Prepare Foundation Piles
4 empty spaces for the suit-sorted foundation piles.
Before starting

Since all cards are visible, it's worth planning out the entire solution in your head before making the first move.

III · Card Values
How to move
cards
III
↓
Tableau
Descending, alternating
Cards in the tableau are placed in descending order and alternating colors (red/black).
C
Free Cell
One card temporary storage
Each free cell can temporarily hold exactly one single card.
↑
Foundation Pile
Ascending, same suit
On the foundation piles, cards are collected in ascending order from Ace to King of the same suit.
∅
Empty Column
Any card allowed
Any card may be placed on a completely empty tableau column – not just a King.
IV · Gameplay

Turn by
Turn

IV
1
Analyze the layout
Since everything is visible: mentally review the entire possible solution.
2
Utilize free cells
Temporarily place individual blocking cards in a free cell.
3
Rearrange the tableau
Move cards between columns to reveal sequences.
4
Place on foundation piles
As soon as possible: place cards in ascending order on the suit piles.
5
Won
All 52 cards are sorted on the four foundation piles. The vast majority of FreeCell deals are indeed solvable.
V · Variations
Variations
V

FreeCell has several known difficulty variations.

2C
Two Cell
Only two free cells instead of four – significantly more difficult.
BC
Baker's Game
Related game without color-alternating requirement in the tableau.
S
SuperGame
With jokers as additional wildcards in the deck.
∅
No Multi-Move
Stricter variant: only one card per move instead of entire sequences.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Plan the entire solution in advance, as far as possible – since all cards are visible, FreeCell is more plannable than most other solitaire games.

+

Use free cells sparingly – if all four are occupied, you completely lose flexibility for further rearrangements.

+

Try to empty a complete tableau column – an empty column is almost as valuable as an additional free cell.

+

Release Aces and low cards early so that the foundation piles grow quickly and create space in the tableau.

Common Mistakes
–

Occupying all free cells simultaneously without a clear plan on how to free them again.

–

Placing a card prematurely on the foundation pile, even though it would still have been needed for sorting in the tableau.

–

Not fully analyzing the overall situation before making the first move – this leads to avoidable dead ends.

–

Immediately refilling a freshly emptied tableau column instead of using it for a more strategically important move.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

FreeCell is pure brainwork – easier to grasp with a clear deck.

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20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For larger groups and long game nights. To Product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. To Product
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