How to Play FreeCell

THE PLAYBOOK · NMGAFT

How to play FreeCell

Start FreeCell by looking at the playing area and its controls. Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Read the objective before making your first input. Look at what changes after your first action.

One face-up deck. Transfer capacity counts available cells and spare empty columns. Free solo play, no wagering.

Focus on one rule

Choose one rule to keep in mind for this round. Apply it consistently rather than guessing what another version might allow. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Build four suit foundations from ace to king. Read that aim before choosing your first action. Keep the controls in easy reach.

Step by step

1. Build down in alternating colours; four cells each hold one card. Empty columns accept any legal group.
2. Select a face-up card and then the destination pile or Empty slot.
3. Use foundations where available; full Spider or Scorpion runs clear automatically.
4. Undo reverses a choice. New deal shuffles again.

Controls

Click or tap cards and piles. Wide tableaus scroll inside the game; use Undo, Hint and New deal where shown. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Make sure you are interacting with the game rather than the surrounding page.

A useful example

With two empty cells and no spare empty column, a group of at most three cards can move together. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Choose a deliberate next step.

Watch out for this

Random deals are not guaranteed solvable. A hint is a legal move, not a winning strategy. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.

Common questions