Rules reference

FreeCell Rules

FreeCell removes the stock and turns the whole deck face-up. The challenge is not luck; it is managing four temporary cells and eight crowded columns.

FreeCell setup

FreeCell uses a standard 52-card deck. Deal eight face-up tableau columns: the first four columns receive seven cards and the last four receive six. Four free cells sit above the tableau, initially empty. Four foundations begin empty as well.

Because every card is visible, you can plan the entire board from the first move. There is no stock and no hidden information. The game is won when all four foundations reach King.

Tableau and free-cell moves

Tableau columns build downward in alternating colors. A red 6 can go on a black 7, and a black 5 can go on a red 6. Empty columns accept any single card or valid sequence.

Each free cell holds exactly one card. You can move an exposed tableau card into an empty free cell, then return it to the tableau or send it to a foundation. Free cells are temporary; filling all four without a plan is one of the fastest ways to lose.

The sequence limit

A group move must be a valid descending alternating sequence. The number of cards you can move depends on empty free cells and empty columns. More empty space means a longer group can move at once.

The standard formula is based on one plus the number of empty free cells, multiplied by the staging capacity of the empty columns. When you move into an empty destination column, that destination cannot also count as staging space. This is the rule that surprises most new FreeCell players.

Foundations and winning

Foundations build upward by suit, beginning with the Ace. A card can go to a foundation only when it is the next rank in its suit. In this version, foundation cards are not moved back to the tableau, so check whether the tableau still needs a card before sending it up.

Complete all four suits to win. If no legal move remains and the auto-finish cannot complete the board, the deal is stuck; use Undo or start a new game.

Common FreeCell mistakes

The most common mistake is treating the four free cells as long-term storage. They are temporary tools. If all four cells are full, you lose the ability to move a long sequence and may have no way back. Empty one or two cells before starting a large reorganization.

The second mistake is filling an empty column too early. An empty column accepts any card, which makes it tempting, but it also provides the staging capacity for moving long runs. Keep at least one column open when the board is crowded, and prefer a King or a card that unlocks another column when you must fill it.

Finally, do not assume that a legal move is a useful move. FreeCell has no hidden cards, so a move that merely shuffles the same cards between two columns can waste a free cell and make the next decision harder. Before moving, identify the column you are trying to open and the card that is blocking it.

A small sequence example

Imagine a red 8 on top of one column and a black 9 on top of another. With one empty free cell and no empty columns, you can move the 8 onto the 9 as a single card. If the source column also has a black 7 beneath the 8, you can move the 8 and 7 together only when the columns and free cells allow a two-card sequence.

To move a longer group, free a cell or open a column first. Each empty free cell increases the sequence capacity, and each empty column doubles the staging capacity. That is why experienced FreeCell players often spend a move creating space before attempting the move they actually want.

FreeCell Rules FAQ

What is a free cell in FreeCell Solitaire?

A free cell is a temporary slot that holds one card. It is not a foundation. You can use it to park a blocking card, then move that card back to the tableau or send it to a foundation.

How many cards can I move as a sequence?

The limit depends on empty free cells and empty columns. The standard formula multiplies the available free cells by the staging capacity of the empty columns. When the destination is an empty column, that column cannot also be used as staging space.

Can any card go into an empty column?

Yes. Any single card or valid descending alternating-color sequence can move to an empty column. Empty columns are powerful, so use them for moves that open a blocked column rather than as permanent storage.

Can I move a card back from a foundation?

In this HiSolitaire version, foundation cards stay on the foundation after they are placed. Plan ahead before sending up a card that the tableau may still need.

Are all FreeCell deals solvable?

Not every possible deal is solvable. HiSolitaire publishes a curated pool of deals checked by an offline solver, so every deal available in the game has a known solution.

Ready to use the rules? Play FreeCell Solitaire with a verified deal from our solvable pool, or read the general Solitaire strategy guide.