How to Play FreeCell — Complete Beginner-to-Expert Guide
FreeCell was added to Windows 95 as part of the ‘Microsoft Entertainment Pack’ to demonstrate Windows’ 32-bit graphics capabilities. It’s the rare solitaire where almost every game is solvable — only 8 deals out of 1,000,000 are impossible. Here’s the strategy that wins consistently.
The rules
4 free cells (top-left) for temporary storage. 4 foundations (top-right) where you build up by suit, A through K. 8 tableau columns where you build down by alternating colour.
Move one card at a time. You can move sequences of cards if you have enough free cells and empty columns to use as temporary stops — this is called a ‘supermove.’
The supermove formula
You can move N cards at once if N ≤ (1 + free_cells) × 2^empty_columns. Example: 2 free cells + 1 empty column = (1+2) × 2¹ = 6 cards. Master this; it’s the single most-used calculation in FreeCell.
With 4 free cells + 4 empty columns you could move 80 cards in one supermove. In practice you’ll never have that much space, but you’ll often have 3-5 free cells and 0-1 empty columns.
Strategy 1: Free the Aces first
Aces are useless except on the foundations. If an Ace is buried in a tableau column, prioritize getting it out — even at the cost of free cells.
Same for 2s. Once your foundations are at 2 in each suit, you have stable targets for 3s.
Strategy 2: Don’t fill all your free cells
Beginner mistake: temporarily storing 4 cards in the free cells. Now you have zero supermove flexibility. You’ll be stuck.
Aim to have 2-3 free cells usable at any time. If you fill all 4, your next move better be productive — usually unloading 2-3 of them onto a tableau column you just cleared.
Strategy 3: Empty columns are gold
Empty tableau columns double your supermove capacity. Aim to create at least one empty column by mid-game. Trade aggressively — accept short-term inefficiency to get an empty column.
An empty column is worth more than 2 free cells in terms of supermove math. Always prioritize emptying a column over emptying free cells.
Strategy 4: The 5-stop unstoppable position
If you can move every card in a tableau column onto another tableau column or the foundations, you’ve solved that column. Five solved columns in a row often guarantees a win.
Look ahead: if you can solve column A by sending all its cards somewhere productive, do it even if it costs you free cells in the short term. The empty column is worth more than the free cells you’ll lose.
Strategy 5: Don’t auto-play
FreeCell autoplay moves obvious-to-foundation cards automatically. Disable this if your version allows it. Sometimes you want a 4 on the tableau (to receive a 3) instead of on the foundation.
The classic example: you have foundations at 4 of clubs. A 5 of clubs reveals. Autoplay sends it to the foundation. But you needed it to receive a 4 of hearts you’re trying to relocate.
When you’re stuck
If you can’t make any productive move, the game might be unwinnable. Don’t sink hours into trying. Use the ‘auto-solve’ or ‘hint’ feature if available, or restart.
Famous unsolvable FreeCell games: #11982 (a known impossibility). The Microsoft original number-32000 game is also unsolvable.
Practice
Play our FreeCell with proper supermove logic and full undo. Click hint when stuck; if the hint can’t find a productive move, the game might be near-impossible.
