BACK TO THE GAME


This article contains everything you need to know about Arkadium’s FreeCell Solitaire Game.


Use the list below to navigate specific topics about FreeCell Solitaire.



How to play


FreeCell is a classic variation of the solitaire family of card games played using a standard 52-card deck. 


Goal. Move all cards from the play area to the four foundations on the top right. Foundation piles must start with the aces of each suit and are built up in sequential order. 


NOTE: you can move cards from foundations back if you need them


Play area. Cards can be moved from one column to another as long as their colors alternate, and they are in sequential order from highest to lowest. 


EXAMPLE: a Red 5 can be moved to a Black 6



Free cells. Four free cells are located on the top left. You can place any card in a free cell. These cards can later be moved to the play area or to the foundations. Free cells are valuable for uncovering and moving cards! You can also move any card to empty columns once you free them (and then add more cards on top of them as usual).


Moving cards. You can move multiple cards together at the same time, but only if they are in sequence and only if there are enough free cells or open columns for you to move these cards one at a time.


To move N cards, you need N-1 (N if you wish to move them into a free column), total free cells, and open columns. 

    

EXAMPLE: you would need 4 empty spaces to move 5 cards


The game's structured like so:



  1. Undo. Click here to undo your last move.
  2. Hint. If you need a hint, clicking here will show you possible plays you can make. The cards will be highlighted.
  3. Timer. As soon as you start moving the cards, the timer will also start. You can play at your own pace, but you will be scored for the lowest possible time.
  4. Moves. This is the number of moves you've played so far.
  5. Menu. Click here for options such as sound, restarting the game, or a quick refresher. 




Tips


Freecell Solitaire is a popular and challenging card game that requires strategic thinking, planning, and patience. Playing the game online allows you to practice and improve your skills at your own pace. The following tips will help you enhance your Freecell Solitaire game and increase your chances of winning.


1. Plan Before You Move
Look several moves ahead before committing a card. Consider how each move affects your free cells, empty columns, and access to buried cards—one careless move can quickly restrict your options.


2. Use Free Cells Sparingly
Free cells give you temporary storage and flexibility, but filling them too quickly can leave you stuck. Keep as many available as possible so you have room to maneuver difficult sequences.


3. Create Empty Columns
Clearing a tableau column is one of your strongest moves because an empty column can hold any card and gives you much more freedom to rearrange the tableau. Work toward creating empty columns whenever the opportunity arises.


4. Build and Expose Cards Strategically
Build descending sequences in alternating colors while looking for chances to uncover Aces and Twos. These low cards can move toward the foundations and, more importantly, clearing them can expose cards underneath.


5. Think Carefully About Foundations and Kings
Don't automatically send every playable card to the foundation. Some cards are more useful in the tableau for maintaining sequences or freeing other cards. Be especially careful with Kings, since they can only move into empty columns and may occupy valuable space.


6. Use Undo, Restart, and Practice to Learn
Use Undo to test alternative lines when a move goes wrong. If the position becomes too restricted, restarting can be more productive than forcing it. Over time, repeated play will improve your ability to spot patterns and plan winning sequences.


 


Scoring


General formula:


Final score = (the number of cards collected * 5) + Moves Bonus + Time Bonus + Win Bonus


Each card collected in the right place is worth 5 points.


NOTE: bonuses are awarded when the game is completed


Win Bonus = 100 points.


Moves Bonus = (150 minus (number of moves made)) * 3.


Time Bonus = 600 minus the number of seconds spent



EXAMPLE: if your game was completed in 500 seconds and 100 moves: 52*5 + (150 - 100)*3 + (600 - 500) + 100 = 610 points