FreeCell Rules
FreeCell is a classic solitaire game with all 52 cards visible from the start. Use the four free cells to rearrange the tableau, build descending sequences in alternating colors, and move each suit to its foundation from Ace to King.
The piles
FreeCell uses three types of piles:
- The free cells: Four spaces in the upper-left corner. Each free cell can hold one card.
- The foundations: Four piles in the upper-right corner, one for each suit.
- The tableau: Eight columns that contain the dealt cards and form the main playing area.
The setup
All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns receive seven cards each, and the last four receive six. The free cells and foundations start empty.
The objective
To win, move all 52 cards to the foundations. Build each foundation in a single suit, starting with the Ace and continuing in order through the King.
Allowed moves
- Build down on the tableau in alternating colors. Move an exposed card onto a card of the opposite color and one rank higher—for example, a red 6 onto a black 7. You may also move a correctly ordered descending run when enough free cells or empty tableau columns are available as temporary spaces. The longest run you can move is one card plus the total number of empty free cells and empty tableau columns. When moving to an empty tableau column, subtract one because the destination itself uses an empty space. Any card or movable run may be placed in an empty tableau column.
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Use the free cells as temporary storage. Move an exposed card from a tableau column or foundation to an empty free cell. Each free cell holds one card.
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Move a card out of a free cell. Place it on a tableau card of the opposite color and one rank higher, move it to its foundation when it is the next card needed in that suit, or place it in an empty tableau column.
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Build the foundations by suit. Move an exposed Ace to its foundation, then add cards of the same suit in ascending order through the King. Drag a card there or double-click it. You may move the top foundation card back to a legal tableau position or an empty free cell. With “Auto finish games” enabled, the game finishes automatically once all free cells are empty and every remaining tableau column is fully ordered.
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Undo as often as you like. Undo is unlimited, but each undo counts as another move. Keep that in mind if you are trying to finish with a low move count.
Time and moves
The game tracks your time, moves, and undos. Completed-game statistics are stored in your browser, so you can compare results and personal bests on the Statistics page.
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About FreeCell
FreeCell is the second solitaire game created for Cardgames.io, before that we created Klondike (or "classic" solitaire) and we've also made multiple card games since, like Hearts, Klondike, Spades and Whist.
Many thanks go to Nicu Buculei, who created the excellent playing card images that I use for the game.
If you enjoy playing FreeCell please share it with your friends, or check out some of our other games!
Need to contact us?
Any comments, complaints, bug reports, questions, or anything else should be sent to support@cardgames.io.
We can't respond to everyone, but we try to respond to as many as we can. If you just have a quick question make sure it isn't
covered in our FAQ.
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This is version 1.91.0 of FreeCell.
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