FreeCell Solitaire: how to play

FreeCell is the solitaire game of pure skill: all 52 cards are dealt face up, so there's no luck in the deck, only planning. Use the free cells as parking spaces, dig out the aces and send all four suits home. Mogi's version takes free cells away as you go, from four down to two in the Glitch Zone, and every deal is checked by a solver first.

How to play

• Build columns down in alternating colours: red on black, black on red. Any card can go in an empty column.
• Each free cell holds one card. Use them to move cards out of the way.
• The home piles build up by suit, ace to king. Cards that can't be needed any more go home by themselves.
• A run in order moves together if there is room to shuffle it through your free cells and empty columns. More free space moves longer runs.
• Tap a card: it goes home if it can, then onto a column, then into a free cell. Or drag it yourself.
• Keys 1–8 move from a column, A S D F from a free cell. Restart with the RESTART button or R, pressed twice.
• Getting stuck, going round in circles (many moves that don't help) or restarting costs one of your three hearts. If you have hearts left, the same deal starts again.

The five levels

1. Neon City: four free cells
2. Rooftops: four free cells: move longer runs
3. Sewer: only three free cells
4. Robot Factory: three free cells: empty columns let long runs move
5. Glitch Zone: only two free cells

Clear the Glitch Zone and the levels loop again with one free cell fewer in every level, down to just one. You have three hearts for the whole run, and the game is the same for everyone each day, so you can compare scores. Press M to turn the sound off or on.

Tips

• Look for the aces and twos first, and plan how to dig them out before you move anything.
• Keep at least one free cell empty when you can: a full set of cells leaves you no room to work.
• An empty column is worth more than a free cell. It holds a whole run, and it doubles how long a run you can move.

Questions

Is every FreeCell deal winnable?

Yes. Each deal is checked by a solver before you play it, so there is always a way to win.

How long a run can I move?

One more card than you have empty free cells, doubled for every empty column (not counting a column you move into).

Why do cards go home by themselves?

Once a card can't be needed for building any more, it goes home on its own to save you taps.

Is it free?

Yes. FreeCell is free in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download.