FreeCell: The Most Winnable Solitaire Game

Last updated: November 15, 2025

Experience the most strategic and skill-based solitaire variant ever created. FreeCell Solitaire stands apart from all other card games with one remarkable feature: 99.99% of deals are winnable with perfect play. Unlike luck-dependent variants like Klondike, FreeCell rewards careful planning, strategic thinking, and patience. Every card is visible from the start, transforming solitaire from a casual pastime into a chess-like mental challenge where your decisions determine success.

▶ Play FreeCell Free Now - No Download Required

What is FreeCell Solitaire?

FreeCell Solitaire is a single-player card game that revolutionized solitaire by making skill more important than luck. Invented by Paul Alfille in 1978 and popularized by Microsoft Windows, FreeCell uses a standard 52-card deck but introduces a game-changing mechanic: four "free cells" that serve as temporary storage spaces for individual cards.

The objective mirrors traditional solitaire - build four foundation piles from Ace to King, sorted by suit - but the path to victory requires significantly more strategic depth. Unlike Klondike where hidden cards introduce randomness, every card in FreeCell is dealt face-up from the beginning. This complete visibility transforms the game into a perfect information puzzle where optimal solutions can be calculated through careful analysis.

Why 99.99% Winnable Matters

Out of one million randomly shuffled FreeCell deals, only about 100 are theoretically unsolvable. The most famous impossible game is #11982 in the original Microsoft numbering system. This extraordinarily high win rate means when you lose a FreeCell game, it's almost always because a better sequence of moves existed - not because the deal was impossible. This transforms FreeCell into the ultimate test of solitaire mastery.

FreeCell gained worldwide recognition when Microsoft included it in Windows 95, introducing millions of players to a solitaire variant that rewarded patience and planning over lucky card draws. Today, FreeCell remains the favorite choice of serious solitaire players who want to test their strategic abilities rather than rely on chance.

FreeCell setup - free online game showing 8 tableau columns, 4 free cells, 52 cards face-up — Figure 1: FreeCell layout - 8 tableau columns (all cards face-up), 4 free cells (temporary storage), and 4 foundation piles (Ace to King by suit)

How to Play FreeCell: Complete Rules & Step-by-Step Guide

Learning FreeCell takes just minutes, but mastering it requires dedication. Here's everything you need to know to start playing:

Game Setup

FreeCell uses a standard 52-card deck dealt into four distinct areas:

Tableau (8 Columns): All 52 cards are dealt face-up into eight columns. The first four columns receive 7 cards each, and the last four columns receive 6 cards each. All cards are visible from the start.
Free Cells (4 Spaces): Four empty spaces in the upper left corner where you can temporarily store individual cards. Each cell holds exactly one card at a time.
Foundations (4 Piles): Four empty foundation piles in the upper right corner where you'll build complete sequences from Ace to King, separated by suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades).

The most distinctive feature of FreeCell is the complete visibility of all cards from the beginning. There are no face-down cards, no stock pile, and no hidden information. Every decision you make is based on perfect knowledge of the entire deal.

Basic Rules of FreeCell

FreeCell follows specific movement rules that create its strategic depth:

Tableau Building: Cards on tableau columns must be built in descending order (King to Ace) with alternating colors (red on black, black on red). For example, a red 9 can be placed on a black 10, or a black Jack can be placed on a red Queen.
Foundation Building: Foundation piles build upward from Ace to King in the same suit. Only Aces can start a foundation. A 2 of hearts goes on Ace of hearts, a 3 of hearts on 2 of hearts, and so on.
Free Cell Usage: Any exposed card can be moved to an empty free cell. Cards in free cells can be moved to tableau columns (following tableau rules) or to foundations (following foundation rules).
Moving Card Sequences: You can move sequences of cards between tableau columns, but the number of cards you can move depends on available free cells and empty columns. The formula is: (empty free cells + 1) × (empty columns + 1). With no empty columns and no empty free cells, you can only move one card at a time.
Empty Columns: When a tableau column becomes empty, you can place any card or valid sequence there. Empty columns are extremely valuable - they effectively double your moving capacity.
Only Aces Start Foundations: Foundation piles must begin with an Ace. You cannot place any other card on an empty foundation.

How to Win FreeCell

You win when all 52 cards are moved to the four foundation piles, with each foundation containing a complete sequence from Ace to King in a single suit. Since almost every FreeCell game is winnable, success depends entirely on finding the correct sequence of moves. There's no luck involved - only strategy, planning, and logical deduction.

Pro Tip: The key to winning FreeCell is planning ahead. Before making any move, ask yourself: "Does this move create or block future opportunities?" Expert players routinely plan 10-20 moves ahead, visualizing how cards will cascade and which sequences need to be built.

The 4 Free Cells Explained: Your Most Valuable Resource

Free cells are the defining feature that makes FreeCell unique among all solitaire variants. Understanding how to use them strategically separates beginners from experts.

What Are Free Cells?

Free cells are four temporary parking spaces for individual cards. Think of them as "holding areas" where you can temporarily store cards that are blocking your progress. Each cell can hold exactly one card at any time, and cards can be moved freely between free cells, tableau columns, and foundations as long as they follow the game's rules.

Strategic Free Cell Usage

Mastering free cell management is essential for winning consistently:

Keep Them Empty When Possible: Empty free cells provide maximum flexibility. Every filled free cell reduces your ability to move card sequences. Only use free cells when necessary to unlock critical moves.
Free Cells Enable Sequence Moves: The number of empty free cells determines how many cards you can move as a sequence. With all 4 cells empty and one empty column, you can move sequences of up to 10 cards at once!
Use Free Cells Temporarily: Ideally, cards should move through free cells quickly rather than sitting there permanently. Use them to rearrange cards, then empty them for future moves.
Avoid Filling All Free Cells: Having all four free cells occupied simultaneously severely limits your options. If you find all cells filled, you've likely made strategic errors several moves earlier.
Prioritize Which Cards to Store: Store cards in free cells that are blocking important sequences or preventing access to deeply buried cards. Don't waste free cells on cards that aren't causing problems.

The Free Cell Mathematics

Moving Capacity Formula: (Empty Free Cells + 1) × 2^{Empty Columns} = Maximum Cards in Sequence

Examples:

4 empty cells + 0 empty columns: Can move 5 cards (5 × 2⁰ = 5 × 1)
2 empty cells + 1 empty column: Can move 6 cards (3 × 2¹ = 3 × 2)
4 empty cells + 1 empty column: Can move 10 cards (5 × 2¹ = 5 × 2)
4 empty cells + 2 empty columns: Can move 20 cards (5 × 2² = 5 × 4)
0 empty cells + 0 empty columns: Can move only 1 card (1 × 2⁰ = 1 × 1)

Notice how empty columns provide exponential benefit - each additional empty column doubles your moving capacity! This is why creating and preserving empty columns is one of the most powerful strategic advantages in FreeCell.

FreeCell vs Klondike: Which Should You Play?

FreeCell and Klondike are the two most popular solitaire variants, but they offer completely different experiences. Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose:

Feature	FreeCell	Klondike
Win Rate	99.99% with perfect play	~79% with perfect play
Skill vs Luck	95% skill, 5% luck	60% skill, 40% luck
Card Visibility	All 52 cards visible from start	21 cards face-down initially
Special Mechanics	4 free cells for temporary storage	Stock pile with Draw 1 or Draw 3
Average Game Time	12-15 minutes	8-12 minutes
Difficulty	Higher strategic complexity	Simpler rules, easier to play casually
Tableau Columns	8 columns (all cards face-up)	7 columns (most cards face-down)
Planning Required	5-20 moves ahead	2-5 moves ahead
Best For	Strategic thinkers, puzzle enthusiasts	Quick games, casual players
Frustration Level	Low (losses are usually your fault)	Medium (bad deals can be unwinnable)

The Verdict: Choose FreeCell if you want a deep, strategic challenge where skill determines outcomes. Choose Klondike if you prefer faster games with an element of surprise. Both are excellent - it just depends on your mood and how much time you want to invest in planning. Many players enjoy both variants for different reasons!

For a deeper analysis, read our comprehensive FreeCell vs Klondike comparison guide.

FreeCell Strategy & Tips: How to Win More Consistently

FreeCell's high win rate means strategy matters more than any other solitaire variant. Follow these expert strategies to dramatically improve your success rate:

Essential Winning Strategies

Keep Free Cells Empty: Your most important rule. Empty free cells provide maximum flexibility. Only fill them when it creates a clear advantage. If all four cells are full, you're probably stuck.
Create Empty Columns Early: Empty tableau columns are worth two free cells in terms of moving capacity. Prioritize creating at least one empty column in the opening moves.
Build Foundations Evenly: Don't rush one suit far ahead of others. Keep foundations within 2-3 cards of each other. Building one suit to King while others are at 5-6 creates card blockages.
Expose Deeply Buried Cards First: Prioritize moves that expose cards at the bottom of long columns. These cards often determine whether you can create the sequences needed to win.
Plan Entire Move Sequences: Don't make individual moves - plan entire sequences of 5-10 moves. Before moving any card, trace the complete path needed to achieve your goal.
Use the Undo Button Freely: FreeCell rewards experimentation. Try different move sequences, undo if they don't work, and try another approach. Learning comes from exploring alternatives.
Focus on One Problem at a Time: Identify the biggest blockage (usually a deeply buried card or poor sequence) and focus all your moves on solving that specific problem.
Don't Rush Cards to Foundations: Sometimes keeping cards in the tableau provides more flexibility than moving them to foundations. Only move cards up when it clearly helps or doesn't hurt future moves.

Advanced Strategy: When stuck, work backwards from the goal. Identify which cards need to be in foundations last, then trace backwards to determine the sequence needed to get there. This "reverse planning" often reveals move sequences that aren't obvious when planning forwards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Filling All Free Cells at Once: This is the #1 beginner mistake. Once all cells are full, you can only move one card at a time, severely limiting options.
Moving Cards to Foundations Too Quickly: Aces and Twos can usually go up safely, but moving higher cards too early can block future sequences.
Not Planning Ahead: Making reactive moves instead of planning sequences leads to dead ends. Always plan at least 3-5 moves ahead.
Ignoring Empty Column Opportunities: Failing to prioritize creating empty columns wastes your most powerful asset.
Giving Up Too Soon: Many positions that look impossible have solutions. Keep trying different approaches before restarting.

Best FreeCell Strategy for Beginners

New to FreeCell? Start with these beginner-friendly principles: Keep at least two free cells empty at all times, create your first empty column within the first 10-15 moves, and move only Aces and Twos to foundations initially. Practice planning just 2-3 moves ahead until it becomes natural, then gradually extend your lookahead. Use the undo button liberally - it's a learning tool, not cheating. Most importantly, focus on exposing cards in the deepest columns first, as these often contain the keys to solving the entire puzzle.

For comprehensive strategy tutorials, visit our Complete FreeCell Strategy Guide and Advanced Tips & Tricks.

FreeCell Strategy for Perfect Games

Achieving near-perfect FreeCell win rates (95%+) requires mastering advanced techniques beyond basic strategy. These expert-level approaches will help you solve even the most challenging deals:

Supermove Calculations and Pattern Recognition

Expert FreeCell players recognize "supermove" patterns instantly - positions where multiple cards can be moved as a group even without manually using free cells. The game automatically calculates these moves: with 2 empty free cells and 1 empty column, you can move 6 cards at once. Recognizing these opportunities without counting saves time and reveals solutions faster. Practice visualizing supermove capacity at a glance.

Foundation Building Timing Strategy

When to move cards to foundations separates good players from great ones. The rule: keep cards in tableau if they might be needed for building sequences. Move to foundations when: 1) The card is Ace or Two (almost always safe), 2) Moving it won't block lower-ranked cards of the opposite color, 3) Both cards of the opposite color and one rank higher are already in foundations. For example, move the 7 of Hearts only after both black 8s are in foundations.

Analyzing Opening Positions

The first 5-10 moves determine FreeCell game outcomes. Analyze the opening layout systematically: Identify buried Aces (highest priority to expose), locate Kings blocking deep cards, check for obvious empty column opportunities, and scan for long in-suit sequences that can be leveraged. Expert players spend 30-60 seconds analyzing before making the first move - this upfront planning prevents mid-game dead ends.

Endgame Automation and Auto-Move

In the endgame when most cards are in foundations, learn to recognize "auto-win" positions where the remaining moves are forced. Once all cards below 5 are in foundations and no cards are blocking others, the position is essentially solved. Many FreeCell implementations (including TrySolitaire) offer auto-complete features that recognize these positions and finish the game automatically.

Practicing with Difficult Deals

To rapidly improve, deliberately practice difficult FreeCell deals. Replay games you lost and use unlimited undo to explore alternative move sequences. Compare your solution with optimal play (if available). Track which types of positions give you trouble - empty column creation? Foundation timing? Supermove recognition? - then focus practice on your weak areas.

The Path to 95%+ Win Rates

Achieving elite-level FreeCell performance takes dedication: Start by reaching 70% win rate with basic strategies, then 85% by mastering empty column creation and foundation timing. Breaking 90% requires supermove recognition and deep planning. Reaching 95%+ demands thousands of games, pattern memorization, and the ability to plan 15-20 moves ahead. Compare your progress with players in our solitaire games collection to see how different variants challenge different skills!

Why Play FreeCell on TrySolitaire?

TrySolitaire offers the best FreeCell experience available online, with features designed specifically for both casual players and serious strategists:

✓ 100% Free Forever

No ads, no paywalls, no hidden costs. Play unlimited FreeCell games completely free. We believe strategic games like FreeCell should be accessible to everyone without distractions or manipulation.

✓ Unlimited Undo/Redo

FreeCell rewards experimentation and learning. Our unlimited undo system lets you explore different move sequences without penalty. Try approaches, undo if they don't work, and discover optimal solutions through exploration.

✓ Works Completely Offline

Progressive Web App (PWA) technology means FreeCell works perfectly without internet connection. Ideal for flights, commutes, or anywhere without reliable WiFi. Visit once while online, play forever offline.

✓ Comprehensive Statistics

Track your improvement with detailed stats: games played, games won, win rate, best time, current winning streak, and best streak. Watch your win rate climb as you master FreeCell strategy.

✓ Mobile-Optimized Interface

Fully responsive design works perfectly on phones, tablets, and desktops. Touch-optimized controls make mobile FreeCell smooth and intuitive. Play anywhere, anytime.

✓ No Sign-Up Required

Start playing immediately. No email, no password, no personal information. Your privacy matters to us - all stats are stored locally in your browser.

✓ Multiple Card Themes

Customize your experience with 4 card styles and 9 card back designs. Choose the look that's easiest on your eyes during long FreeCell sessions.

✓ Timer & Move Counter

Track your time and moves to challenge yourself. Can you solve that difficult deal in under 200 moves? Can you beat your personal best time?

✓ 15 Additional Games

Beyond FreeCell, enjoy Klondike, Spider, Pyramid, Golf, and 11 more solitaire variants, plus puzzle games like Sudoku and 2048.

▶ Play FreeCell Solitaire Now

Frequently Asked Questions About FreeCell

Q: Is every FreeCell game winnable?

A: Almost! 99.99% of FreeCell games are theoretically winnable with perfect play. Only one deal is known to be unsolvable: game #11982 in the original Microsoft FreeCell numbering system. This makes FreeCell the most skill-based solitaire variant, where success depends on strategy rather than luck. If you lose a FreeCell game, there was almost certainly a better sequence of moves available.

Q: What's the difference between FreeCell and Klondike?

A: FreeCell starts with all cards face-up and visible, making it a game of pure strategy with 99.99% win rate. Klondike has hidden cards introducing luck, with only 79% winnable. FreeCell uses 4 free cells for temporary storage instead of a stock pile. FreeCell games average 12-15 minutes and require planning 5-20 moves ahead, while Klondike is faster (8-12 minutes) but less consistently winnable. Choose FreeCell for strategic depth, Klondike for quicker casual games.

Q: How do free cells work?

A: Free cells are four temporary storage spaces where you can place any single card. Each cell holds only one card at a time. Use them strategically to unblock sequences, rearrange columns, or move cards to foundations. The number of empty free cells determines how many cards you can move in a sequence - with all 4 cells empty and one empty column, you can move sequences of up to 10 cards at once. The formula is: (empty free cells + 1) × (empty columns + 1) = maximum cards movable.

Q: What's the win rate for FreeCell?

A: With perfect play, FreeCell has a 99.99% theoretical win rate - nearly every deal is solvable. For average players, win rates typically range from 50-70% when learning, improving to 80-90% with experience. Expert players regularly achieve 95%+ win rates. This high solvability makes FreeCell ideal for players who prefer skill-based challenges over luck-dependent games. Your win rate directly reflects your strategic ability.

Q: Can I undo moves in FreeCell?

A: Yes! TrySolitaire offers unlimited undo functionality in FreeCell. Since FreeCell requires careful planning and experimentation, unlimited undo helps you learn optimal strategies without penalty. Professional FreeCell players often undo moves to explore different solution paths. There's no shame in using undo - it's a learning tool that helps you understand why certain move sequences work better than others.

Q: How many moves ahead should I plan in FreeCell?

A: Expert FreeCell players typically plan 5-10 moves ahead, though critical positions may require planning entire sequences of 20+ moves. Start by planning 2-3 moves ahead as a beginner, gradually increasing depth as you improve. The key is identifying which cards block others and planning the sequence needed to free them. Don't make individual moves - plan complete sequences from current position to desired outcome.

Q: Is FreeCell harder than regular solitaire?

A: FreeCell is intellectually harder but more consistently winnable than Klondike (regular solitaire). Klondike is easier to play casually but harder to win consistently due to luck and hidden cards. FreeCell requires deeper planning, patience, and strategic thinking, but rewards skill - you can win almost every game with good play. Choose FreeCell if you want a chess-like mental challenge that tests your analytical abilities. Choose Klondike for a quicker, more luck-based experience.

Q: How long does a FreeCell game take?

A: Average FreeCell games take 12-15 minutes with moderate planning. Beginners may take 20-25 minutes as they carefully consider each move and learn patterns. Expert players can complete games in 8-10 minutes by recognizing common sequences quickly. Complex deals with fewer obvious moves can take 20-30 minutes even for experienced players. The time investment is worth it - FreeCell provides deep satisfaction when you solve challenging deals.

Q: What's the best strategy for FreeCell?

A: Top FreeCell strategies: 1) Keep free cells empty as long as possible - they're your most valuable resource, 2) Create empty columns early - they're worth two free cells in moving capacity, 3) Build foundations evenly - don't rush one suit far ahead, 4) Expose deeply buried cards first - they often determine solvability, 5) Plan entire move sequences before committing - think 5-10 moves ahead, 6) Avoid filling all free cells simultaneously - this severely limits options. Focus on creating cascades and maintaining maximum flexibility.

Q: Can I play FreeCell offline?

A: Yes! TrySolitaire's FreeCell works completely offline using Progressive Web App (PWA) technology. Visit once while online, and you can play FreeCell anywhere without internet connection - perfect for flights, commutes, subway rides, or areas with poor connectivity. All your statistics are saved locally and persist across sessions.

Related Solitaire Games & Resources

Explore our complete solitaire games collection with 13 strategic variants. New to solitaire? Start with our comprehensive solitaire guide, try Klondike for the classic experience, or compare Spider Solitaire as another strategic option.

Klondike Spider Pyramid Golf TriPeaks Yukon Russian Forty Thieves

Learn More About FreeCell & Solitaire

Ready to Master FreeCell?

Join millions of strategic thinkers who have made FreeCell their favorite mental challenge. With 99.99% of games winnable through skill alone, FreeCell offers the ultimate test of solitaire mastery. No downloads, no ads, no complications - just pure strategic gameplay.

▶ Start Playing FreeCell Free Now

← Back to Game Selection