How to Play FreeCell

THE PLAYBOOK · CQXSJINPENG

Make FreeCell your next activity in the game library. Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Read the objective before making your first input. 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.

Notice the feedback

Watch the feedback after an action. A message can explain whether the input was accepted or whether a rule needs attention. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Read that aim before choosing your first action. Take a moment to understand the current position.

Step by step

Build down in alternating colours; four cells each hold one card. Empty columns accept any legal group.
Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
Use foundations where available; full Spider or Scorpion runs clear automatically.
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. Look at the feedback after the action.

A useful example

With two empty cells and no spare empty column, a group of at most three cards can move together. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Verify the rule before continuing.

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

Common questions

Before I begin, what is the goal of FreeCell?

The key detail is this: Build four suit foundations from ace to king.

For this browser game, how do I control FreeCell?

Keep this in mind: Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown.

Before I begin, what example helps explain FreeCell?

Here is the relevant explanation: With two empty cells and no spare empty column, a group of at most three cards can move together.

While reading the Guide, what should I watch out for in FreeCell?

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy.

For my first round, what format does FreeCell offer?

The key detail is this: One face-up deck. Transfer capacity counts available cells and spare empty columns. Free solo play, no wagering.

While reading the Guide, which play mode does FreeCell use?

The key detail is this: The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.