How to Play FreeCell

THE PLAYBOOK · 5438GAME

FreeCell: instructions and practice

FreeCell gives you a focused activity to play in your browser. Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Use the example below to understand a decision. Read the objective before making your first input. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions.

One face-up deck. Transfer capacity counts available cells and spare empty columns. Free solo play, no wagering.

Try a more deliberate round

Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round. Notice the feedback after each input.

Your goal

Build four suit foundations from ace to king. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Review the board or playing area as it changes.

A walkthrough of the rules

1. Build down in alternating colours; four cells each hold one card. Empty columns accept any legal group.
2. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
3. Use foundations where available; full Spider or Scorpion runs clear automatically.
4. Undo reverses a choice. New deal shuffles again.

Keyboard and screen controls

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. Use one clear input at a time.

Put the rules into context

With two empty cells and no spare empty column, a group of at most three cards can move together. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Keep the controls nearby.

Watch out for this

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. A different version of the game may use a different rule. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.

Questions that come up during play