Rules
How to play FreeCell Solitaire
Use four open cells to reorganize an entirely face-up deal and build four foundations.
Build tableau columns downward in alternating colors.
A free cell holds one card. Empty tableau columns may receive any card or legal sequence.
Build foundations upward by suit from ace through king.
A sequence may move when the open cells and empty columns provide enough temporary space.
How to win
Move all 52 cards to the four suit foundations.
Physical deck
Set up the table
Use the steps below to play this rules version with ordinary cards and no screen.
- Shuffle one standard 52-card deck.
- Deal all cards face up into eight columns, one card at a time. The first four columns receive seven cards and the last four receive six.
- Leave four free cells and four foundation spaces above the tableau.
FreeCell Solitaire opening deal
These counts summarize the opening table; follow the numbered steps above for exact placement and overlap.
- Free cells
- 4 piles0 cards · 0 face up
- Foundations
- 4 piles0 cards · 0 face up
- Tableau
- 8 piles52 cards · 52 face up
Strategy
Strategy for FreeCell Solitaire
Keep free cells open until they unlock a concrete sequence.
Expose aces and low cards early.
Treat an empty column as more powerful than a single free cell.
Common mistakes
- Filling every free cell without a release plan.
- Parking a low card beneath a high sequence.
- Opening a column and immediately blocking it.
Sources & variant
The chosen rules, documented
This playable beta uses rules version 1.0.0. The references below support this version; other tables may use different redeal, wrapping, movement, or scoring rules. A saved deal always keeps the rules it began with.