Rules for Free Cell

Return to Introduction  Previous page  Next page

Similar games in Solitaire Plus include Baker's Game and Eight Off.

 

FreeCell

 

Layout

 

A tableau of all 52 cards contained in 8 piles spread downward.
Four free cells present at the upper left of the tableau. Free cells may contain only one card at a time.

 

Play

 

Move the top card of the tableau piles or free cells to the foundations or other tableau piles.
On the tableau, build down in value and alternating suit color.
Only one card at a time may be moved unless there are unoccupied free cells.
Additional cards may be dragged from the tableau for each free cell that is unoccupied as long as the pile is built down in value and alternating suit color.
Fill any space with cards from the tableau or an occupied free cell.

 

Foundations

 

Move the four Aces to the row above and to the right of the tableau as they are made available.
Build the foundations in ascending suit sequence from Ace to King.

 

To Win

 

Move all the cards to the foundations.

 

Tips: Keep free cells unoccupied as much as possible. Try to clear tableau piles where possible, since each cleared pile can act as another free cell. Note that the first 1,000,000 selectable deals are identical to those provided in the Microsoft FreeCell game included with Windows XP.

 

Specific Shortcuts: Double-clicking a card with the left mouse, or single-clicking with the middle mouse, will move it to the foundation if possible. Otherwise, the card will move to an unoccupied free cell.

 

Scoring: One point for each card moved to a foundation. Maximum score is 52.

 

Chance of Winning: The vast majority of games are winnable.

 

Related Topics:

 

Common shortcuts for all games

Game options