RULES

The rules to play Solitaire Freecell

 

Solitaire FreeCell is a highly strategic and engaging variation of the classic solitaire game. Known for its reliance on skill rather than luck, FreeCell requires players to meticulously plan their moves to successfully organize all the cards into foundation piles. The objective is to move all cards from the tableau to the foundation, using free cells and well thought out moves.

 

How to play Solitaire Freecell

 

What deck is used to play solitaire freecell?

FreeCell Solitaire is played with a standard 52-card deck, setting aside the two joker cards since you won't be needing them.

 

How do you set up the tableau to play freecell solitaire?

After shuffling, all the cards are dealt face up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns contain seven cards each, while the remaining four columns contain six cards each. On top of these there are four free cells on the top right corner and four foundation piles on the top left.

The free cells, which is what the game is named after, serve as temporary storage spaces. The foundation piles are where the cards will ultimately be organized in ascending order by suit.

 

What is the objective of Solitaire Freecell?

The primary goal of Solitaire FreeCell is to move all the cards from the tableau to the foundation piles following its required order. Each foundation pile must start with an ace and be built up in ascending order by suit, ending with the king.

 

How do you solve a freecell solitaire?

Once all the cards are on the tableau, look for any potential moves. The cards can be moved to either another column, a free cell, or directly to the foundation pile.

If you move the cards within the columns, these are placed in descending order alternating colours. For example, a red 6 can be placed on a black 7. Cards can be moved individually or as a sequence if there are enough free cells and/or empty columns to allow the move.

 

Each of the four free cells can hold one card at a time. You must use these free cells strategically to store cards temporarily and allow you to reach other cards in the columns that you may need to build up sequences in other columns or to move directly to the foundation piles. Then you can move a card from a free cell back to play when you need it and when you find a suitable move to do it.

Cards can be moved to the foundation piles starting with the aces. Once an ace is placed in its foundation pile, subsequent cards of the same suit can be added in ascending order. But remember that once you place a card on a foundation pile you cannot put it back to play on the tableau so make sure when you move it to the foundation pile as this move will be irreversible.

Empty tableau columns can be used to hold any card or sequence of cards, providing more flexibility in moving sequences and organizing the tableau. But remember that the number of cards that you can move will depend on how many free cells and/or columns there are available.

If you want to move a sequence of cards it goes as follows:

  • You can move two cards if you have one empty free cell/column
  • You can move three cards if you have two empty free cells/columns
  • You can move four cards if you have three empty cells/columns, and so on…

The game is resolved when all cards are successfully moved to the foundation piles in the correct order.

The freecell solitaire concludes if no more moves are possible and not all cards are moved to the foundation piles. Don't despair if you can't solve it, focus on enjoying the game and the strategy that goes with it 😉

 

Strategic tips to solve a freecell solitaire

However, solving the game is your goal and we know it. That's why we'll show you some tips ti help you out:

  • Plan ahead:carefully consider the consequences of each move. Look ahead to see how moving a card will impact your ability to reach other cards and free up necessary spaces.
  • Use free cells wisely:free cells are valuable resources. Use them sparingly and try to keep as many free cells empty as possible to maximize your room to manoeuvre.
  • Empty columns are key:creating empty tableau columns is crucial for successfully moving sequences of cards. Aim to free up columns early and use them to reorganize the tableau.
  • Build foundations gradually:while moving cards to the foundation piles is the ultimate goal, don’t rush. Ensure that moving a card to the foundation doesn’t block critical moves in the tableau.
  • Reach for the ace:having said that, opening up the foundation gates as early as possible is ideal, so if you find easy ways to reach for an ace go for it!

 

Where can I play freecell solitaire online?

Solitaire FreeCell is a challenging and rewarding solitaire game that emphasizes strategy and foresight. Whether seeking a mental challenge or a way to improve strategic thinking, Solitaire FreeCell offers hours of engaging gameplay and understanding the rules of the game will help you in your way to victory!

So now that you understand the rules come and play freecell solitaire online, or download the solitaire freecell iOS app as well as the Android one..

If you'd like to play other solitaires, we've got a range of the most entertaining ones like pyramid solitaire, spider solitaire, tripeaks solitaire and the good old klondike solitaire.

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