How to Play FreeCell Solitaire

FreeCell Solitaire was created in 1978 and has become extremely popular since its introduction to computer users as part of Windows 95. Unlike other Solitaire games, every FreeCell game is winnable if the proper moves are made.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Deck of playing cards without the Jokers
• Computer with one of the FreeCell games installed

Set up the Cards

1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly.
2. Deal cards out with the faces up into 8 columns until all 52 cards are dealt. Cards can overlap as long as you can see what cards are underneath the top cards.
3. Determine where you will have space for 4 cards as a temporary holding place during the game.
4. Choose where you will create 4 stacks of ascending cards to begin with the Aces of each suit (foundations).
5. Play FreeCell on the computer so you do not have to set up the cards yourself. Click the FreeCell icon and then click 'Game' and 'New Game' or simply press the 'F2' button.

Play FreeCell Solitaire

6. Look for the Aces of the 4 suits. Try to move the Aces to the foundations as soon as possible.
7. Play cards between columns by creating lines of cards in descending order, alternating between black and red cards. For example, you can place a red Jack on a black Queen.
8. Place a card(s) into the 'free cell' (4 spaces to temporarily hold a card) to give you access to cards to move in columns to get to the Aces.
9. Look for the lower numbers of each suit and move cards to gain access to the lower numbers.
10. Move cards to the foundations as soon as possible. Try to increase the foundations evenly so you have cards to use in the columns.
11. Win the game when you have 4 foundations with cards in ascending order from Ace to King in each suit.

Tips & Warnings

• Try the same game several times if you are having difficulties beating it by clicking 'Game' and 'Restart Game' while playing on a computer.
• Open spaces in the free cell (4 places to set cards temporarily) determine how many cards you can move at once. You can move 1 card plus the total of free cells.
• Move cards within the columns, using the free cell as a last resort.
• Avoid filling up your free cells with cards that will not move from the cell soon. Develop a plan to move cards from the free cells as quickly as possible.
• Kings can only move to open columns or free cells.