Move all 52 cards to the four foundations by building each suit from Ace to King. Use four free cells and eight tableau columns—every card is face-up, so plan each move carefully.
Read the full How to Play FreeCell guide. Also see our How to Play Solitaire, How to Play Spider Solitaire, and How to Play Tri Peaks guides.
The aim of FreeCell is to build four foundation piles, one for each suit.
Each foundation starts with an Ace and builds upward in order: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.
You win when all 52 cards have been moved to the foundations.
At the start of a standard FreeCell game, all cards are dealt face-up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns receive seven cards each. The last four columns receive six cards each.
Above the tableau are two important areas.
The four free cells act as temporary holding spaces. Each free cell can hold one card at a time. They are useful for moving cards out of the way, but filling them too quickly can block your options.
The four foundation piles are where you build each suit from Ace to King. Aces go first, then 2s, then 3s, and so on until each suit is complete.
Start by looking for low cards, especially Aces and 2s. If an Ace is available, move it to the foundation. Then build that suit upward whenever the next card is ready.
In the tableau, cards build downward by alternating colour. For example, a black 7 can be placed on a red 8, a red Queen on a black King, or a black 4 on a red 5.
You can move the exposed bottom card of a tableau column to another tableau column, a free cell, an empty tableau column, or a foundation pile if the move is legal.
Empty tableau columns are especially valuable. Any exposed card can be moved into an empty column, and that space can help you shift longer sequences later in the game.
Keep free cells open. Free cells are helpful, but they are limited. Try not to use all four unless you have a clear plan to free them again. A full row of occupied free cells can make even simple moves difficult.
Create an empty tableau column. An empty column is often stronger than an empty free cell because it gives you more room to move sequences. If you can clear a column without damaging your position, it is usually worth considering.
Move Aces and 2s early. Low cards are usually safe to move to the foundations. Getting Aces and 2s out of the tableau can open up cleaner movement across the board.
Do not bury important cards. Before moving a long sequence, check what it will cover. If the move traps a low card or blocks a suit you need, it might not be worth it yet.
Think before using the last free cell. Your final empty free cell is often your safety valve. Once it is filled, your position becomes much tighter.
If you are coming from Klondike, read our Klondike strategy basics article for ideas that also apply to timing foundation moves. For free cells vs empty columns, see FreeCell Free Cells vs Empty Columns.
Move all 52 cards to the four foundations by building each suit from Ace to King. Use four free cells and eight tableau columns—every card is face-up, so plan each move carefully.
Read the full How to Play FreeCell guide. Also see our How to Play Solitaire, How to Play Spider Solitaire, and How to Play Tri Peaks guides.
The aim of FreeCell is to build four foundation piles, one for each suit.
Each foundation starts with an Ace and builds upward in order: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.
You win when all 52 cards have been moved to the foundations.
At the start of a standard FreeCell game, all cards are dealt face-up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns receive seven cards each. The last four columns receive six cards each.
Above the tableau are two important areas.
The four free cells act as temporary holding spaces. Each free cell can hold one card at a time. They are useful for moving cards out of the way, but filling them too quickly can block your options.
The four foundation piles are where you build each suit from Ace to King. Aces go first, then 2s, then 3s, and so on until each suit is complete.
Start by looking for low cards, especially Aces and 2s. If an Ace is available, move it to the foundation. Then build that suit upward whenever the next card is ready.
In the tableau, cards build downward by alternating colour. For example, a black 7 can be placed on a red 8, a red Queen on a black King, or a black 4 on a red 5.
You can move the exposed bottom card of a tableau column to another tableau column, a free cell, an empty tableau column, or a foundation pile if the move is legal.
Empty tableau columns are especially valuable. Any exposed card can be moved into an empty column, and that space can help you shift longer sequences later in the game.
Keep free cells open. Free cells are helpful, but they are limited. Try not to use all four unless you have a clear plan to free them again. A full row of occupied free cells can make even simple moves difficult.
Create an empty tableau column. An empty column is often stronger than an empty free cell because it gives you more room to move sequences. If you can clear a column without damaging your position, it is usually worth considering.
Move Aces and 2s early. Low cards are usually safe to move to the foundations. Getting Aces and 2s out of the tableau can open up cleaner movement across the board.
Do not bury important cards. Before moving a long sequence, check what it will cover. If the move traps a low card or blocks a suit you need, it might not be worth it yet.
Think before using the last free cell. Your final empty free cell is often your safety valve. Once it is filled, your position becomes much tighter.
If you are coming from Klondike, read our Klondike strategy basics article for ideas that also apply to timing foundation moves. For free cells vs empty columns, see FreeCell Free Cells vs Empty Columns.
Most FreeCell deals can be won — but not all. Learn why solvability matters, what to do when you get stuck, and how full visibility changes the feel vs Klondike.
Learn when to use FreeCell free cells vs empty tableau columns — short-term holds vs real movement, supermoves, beginner mistakes, and the rhythm strong players use.
Compare FreeCell and Klondike Solitaire — face-up puzzles vs hidden cards, stock timing vs free cells, luck vs planning, and which game suits your mood.
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