Play FreeCell Online
Every deal is solvable — perfect for strategic card players.
How to Play FreeCell
Modes: FreeCell
FreeCell is played with a full deck dealt face-up onto eight columns. The goal is to move all 52 cards to the four foundations, Ace to King in each suit.
Use the four free cells at the top as temporary parking spots — each holds one card.
Move cards onto a tableau column only onto a card one rank higher and of the opposite color. Any card can go on an empty column, and any card can go on an empty free cell.
You can move a whole sequence of cards at once when you have enough free cells and empty columns to carry it: with F free cells and E empty columns you can move (1+F) × (1+E) cards.
Rules
Every card is face-up — nothing is hidden, so you can plan ahead.
Foundations build up from Ace to King in the same suit.
Tableau piles build down in rank, alternating red and black.
A free cell holds one card; an empty tableau column accepts any card or sequence.
Scoring
| Win | move all 52 cards to the foundations |
| Time | fastest solve wins |
History & Origins of FreeCell
FreeCell was created by Paul Alfille in 1978 on the PLATO computer system, and later popularised by Microsoft’s Windows 95 build after Jim Horne ported it. It is famous for the claim that nearly every deal is solvable.
Unlike Klondike, FreeCell deals every card face up and never relies on luck — only careful use of the four free cells. That design made it the patience game most loved by strategists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Holding every free cell in reserve — use them to cycle sequences.
- Moving pieces without noticing the visible column order.
- Forgetting that moving a long sequence needs enough free cells and empty columns.
Tips & Strategy
Every FreeCell deal is solvable, but it takes planning — always move to a foundation when you can.
Keep free cells empty for emergencies; parking a card there ties up a slot you may need later.
Empty columns are the most powerful resource: each one doubles how many cards you can move at once.
Work to expose the Aces early, then build the foundations steadily while unblocking the tableau.
Use Undo freely to explore, and the Auto button to finish when only foundation moves remain.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is FreeCell free to play?
- Yes — FreeCell on ThinkyPlay is completely free, with no download and no sign-up.
- Are all FreeCell deals solvable?
- Yes — every deal we serve is winnable, so a solution always exists with the right strategy.
- How do I move a stack of cards?
- With F free cells and E empty columns you can move up to (1+F) × (1+E) cards at once. Drag the whole sequence onto its target.
- What is the difference between FreeCell and Solitaire?
- In FreeCell every card is face-up and you have four free cells, so the game is about planning rather than luck — every deal is solvable.
- Are all FreeCell deals solvable?
- Our deals are generated to be solvable, so a loss almost always means a wrong move.
- Why is FreeCell considered easier than Klondike?
- Every card is face up, so there is no luck — only planning — which many players find less frustrating.