How to Play Single Player FreeCell Solitaire: Tips for Winning at FreeCell Solitaire

FreeCell Solitaire is one of the most popular solo player card games on the planet and is played by millions of people daily while its impact on the PC gaming scene throughout the 1990s and early 2000s has only cemented its place as a classic.

Despite the fact most people have played FreeCell at least once, only a small percentage truly understand the rules, how to set up the game using a physical deck, and how to play strategically. This guide will reveal all.

Why Play Single Player Games?

Card games are often considered a multiplayer activity thanks to games like Hearts, Spades, and Poker. However, cards can provide equal levels of enjoyment for single-player activities, as is highlighted by FreeCell and other forms of Solitaire.

Solo card games are very accessible, as is highlighted by the fact that over 80 million decks are sold worldwide to players each year. Alternatively, if you don’t have a physical deck, any computer or smartphone with internet access will allow you to play various solo-player games for free.

In addition to great accessibility, solo-player games appeal for the following reasons;

• They can be used to kill boredom when alone as you do not need friends or opponents to play against.
• Whether you have a few minutes or a several hours available, you can brush up on your skills while having fun.
• Solo-player card games can be played at your pace, allowing you to develop skills and think logically rather than on impulse.
• Various single-player games are shown to aid focus, memory, arithmetic skills, critical thinking, and hand-eye coordination.
• Solo-player games avoid the threat of disagreements with friends or other negative issues caused by competitive play.

When combined with the potential benefits for brain power and slowing cognitive decline, it’s no wonder that their popularity is greater than ever.

Top 10 Single Player Games

If you want to keep your solo-player games exciting and enjoyable while simultaneously developing a wide range of strategic skills, embracing a diverse range of titles is vital. Here are 10 of the best single-player games that can be played both online or offline to deliver endless fun:

1. Solitaire - Move the cards from the tableau and the stock to the foundations, until you create a full set of each suit. During play, the seven columns can be used to create stacks of alternating descending cards.
2. FreeCell - This variant of solitaire uses eight columns in the tableau, but with four ‘free cells’ taking over from the stock. As with traditional solitaire, the aim is to create four ascending suited piles in the foundations (known as home cells).
3. Spider Solitaire - Spider solitaire uses 104 cards and gives players the chance to play 1, 2, or 4 suits depending on skill level. The aim is to create descending piles from K to A, revealing the face-down cards as you play.
4. Sudoku - Solve the puzzle by filling in each of the 81 boxes, ensuring that numbers 1-9 are displayed in each of the 3x3 grids, as well as the horizontal and vertical lines without any repeats.
5. Mahjong Solitaire - Find pairs of tiles to remove them from the pile until you clear the entire board. Only tiles on the edge of a row can be selected, though, so you’ll have to stay focused and think logically.
6. Minesweeper - Use logic and strategy to sweep the grid without landing on a mine. The numbers displayed will show how many mines are adjacent to any given box, thus guiding you to victory.
7. Pinball - Test your reactions, perception of angles, and understanding of power in a fun and fast-paced solo-player game. Online play will also develop skills that translate to success on real machines.
8. Crossword - Test your brain by solving the clues - standard or cryptic - to fill in the answers until each box on the grid is filled with a letter and each answer solves the corresponding question.
9. Word Search - A simplified and casual brain-teasing game ideal for players of all ages. Look for the list of words within the grid, to help keep your eyes and reactions sharp.
10. Wordley - Guess the five-letter word by typing letters in the boxes and then using the colour-coded response to guide your next guess. You have six guesses to find the right word.

By playing a combination of the games above, you should have many of the benefits mentioned above while also curing any sense of boredom.

FreeCell Solitaire Vs Traditional Solitaire

FreeCell Solitaire is essentially a variant on traditional Solitaire (also known as Klondike). So, the two games naturally share many similarities while there are different versions of each - such as 123FreeCell - to keep things fresh. Likewise, most players that learn standard Solitaire cna quickly get to grips with FreeCell and vice versa.

Both games are played with a standard deck of 52 cards and feature a tableau while the aim is to build four ascending piles (one of each suit) in the foundations/home cells section above the tableau. So, many of the fundamentals are the same. But what are the differences between FreeCell and traditional Solitaire? Here are the key differences;

• In traditional Solitaire, the tableau is made up of seven piles. In FreeCell, there are eight.
• Traditional Solitaire starts with one card in pile one, followed by two in pile two, and so on. FreeCell has seven cards in piles one to four, and six in piles five to eight.
• Klondike starts only with the top card on each pile showing face up. In FreeCell, all 52 card are shown face-up from the beginning.
• While FreeCell has all 52 cards in the tableau, Klondike only has 28. The remaining 24 make up the stock.
• In traditional Solitaire, stock cards can be turned over and used when stuck for moves. In FreeCell, the stock is replaced by four temporary slots to hold a card.

The differences ensure that the strategies used for the two games are different. Ultimately, though, they are both games of skill in which the end goal is to clear the tableau and produce four ascending piles in the foundations/home cells.

Why Freecell Solitaire?

Oftentimes, the choice between playing FreeCell and Klondike is decided by little more than how you feel at any given moment. However, adding FreeCell to your daily routine or regular playing activities is a great idea.

With Klondike, it is believed that around 20% of all games are not winnable. In this sense, when you lose, it’s hard to know whether you made a mistake or if the game was simply impossible to beat. FreeCell, however, boasts a 99% solvability rate. After losing, then, you can review the game and learn from the mistakes to become a better player. Moreover, you are positioned to enter each game with the knowledge that it is almost certainly possible to win.

The fact that all cards are visible from the start means FreeCell players can think multiple moves ahead, especially when utilizing the four ‘free cells’. If this type of strategy appeals to you, it can open the door to increased enjoyment and improved strategy development.

Setting Up Your FreeCell Solitaire Game

Understanding what sets FreeCell apart from other solo games is one thing, but playing it well is another altogether. The first step, then, is to set up the game. When playing online with 247 FreeCell, it is as simple as pressing ‘Play’ and selecting ‘FreeCell’ from the list of games. This will automatically open the game, deal the deck, and move any Aces to the foundation.

However, it is worth knowing how to deal the cards yourself, especially if you plan to play with a physical deck or teach someone else how to play the game. Dealing FreeCell is arguably easier than Klondike as all 52 cards are placed face up in the tableau. To complete the deal, use the following steps;

1. Take a deck of cards and remove the jokers before shuffling them.
2. Take the card from the top of your deck and place it face up on the table, ensuring that there is space above for the home cells and ‘free cells’.
3. Add the second card, face up, in a new column to the right of card one.
4. Repeat this process with cards 3 to 8, creating eight columns of one face-up card.
5. Take the ninth card and place it on top of card one. It should be placed face up and halfway down the length of the first card so that the number and suit are still visible.
6. Repeat this process with cards 10 to 16, leaving you with two rows of eight cards. You should be able to see what each of the 16 cards is, including suit and number.
7. Repeat the process to complete a third row, fourth row, fifth row, and sixth row. This should leave you with 48 visible cards split across eight columns.
8. Place the final four cards down in the appropriate slots of columns 1 to 4.

The table should now show 52 cards, all face-up, starting with four columns of seven cards followed by four columns of six cards. There should also be enough space above each column. The spaces above columns 1 to 4 become the temporary holding spots (free cells) and the spaces above columns 5 to 8 become the home cells. You will now be ready to play.

Basic Rules of FreeCell Solitaire

The rules of FreeCell are quite easy to understand. Firstly, the objective of the game is to move all 52 cards from the tableau into the four suited piles that make up the home cells. The game is won once all four kings are in the corresponding home cells piles or lost when the player cannot complete any additional moves.

Playing FreeCell revolves around moving one card (or sequence of cards) at a time. The basic rules are as follows;

• Only the card exposed at the top of each column may be played, unless it is a part of a sequence - in this case, the linked cards may be played at once.
• A sequence of cards is formed by moving one card on top of the next ascending card from the opposite color. For example, the 7 of Diamonds may be placed on top of the 8 of Clubs or Spades.
• Once an Ace is revealed, it should be moved to the foundations. However, the player can decide whether to move the corresponding 2,3, etc. to the home cells or keep it in the tableau.
• Once a card is in its home cell, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or free cells, which is why there are some situations in which keeping cards in the tableau is advised.
• While an entire sequence of cards may be moved to another column if the next card is available (a sequence of 9, 10, and J must move to a Q of the alternating color) only a single card may occupy each of the four free cells at any time.
• However, you can only move a sequence of cards that is equivalent to the number of free cells plus one. So, if there are two free cells at the given moment, only a sequence of three cards may be moved.
• Once a column becomes free due to sequences or moving cards to the foundations, this free column can be used to stack another sequence - thus revealing the next card from another column.

It may take a few hands of FreeCell to get used to the rules, particularly issues like the number of free cells affecting how many cards can be moved at once. However, FreeCell is one of the most popular card games available, especially when considering computerized versions. So, it shouldn’t take you long to understand the game, especially if you have previous experience with Klondike or Spider Solitaire. In the meantime, the computer will show which cards can be played, allowing you to make legal moves every time.

Best Solo FreeCell Strategies: Tips For Winning At FreeCell

FreeCell is a great solo player activity for many reasons, not least because it cures boredom and helps you develop key skills that can translate to benefits in your professional or personal life. Nonetheless, there is nothing like the feeling of winning. Given that FreeCell has a solvability rate of around 99%, good players should experience this frequently.

Ultimately, there are thousands of FreeCell games (approximately 1.75×1064 distinct games), meaning many players never experience the same game twice. While each game is unique and may be solved in multiple ways, various strategies may be utilized. Before looking at individual strategies, though, appreciating these tips is advised;

• Try to get the foundations started with the Aces, Twos, and Threes early on. If nothing else, it will keep sequences in the tableau smaller.
• Only use free cells when required or if you can quickly get the card back to the tableau, as having more free cells available gives you more manouverability.
• Take your time. It’s a solo game, so try to think logically about your next sequence of moves rather than instinctively playing one at a time.
• Use the ‘undo’ button if you make a mistake. You should only stop this once you become a more advanced player.
• When you have a choice of moving two cards (such as the 7 of Hearts and 7 of Diamonds), focus on the one that is closer to creating a free column.

Of course, there may be exceptions - with the final point, for example, you would prioritize moving the card on the longer column if the card directly underneath can be instantly played. Nevertheless, entering the process with the tips above up your sleeve is useful for beginners. Now, let’s take a look at some of the strategies to help you become a better FreeCell player and win more frequently.

Target the Low Cards

The low cards that are used to start the ascending stacks within the home cells hold the key to opening up the game. Revealing them early has already been highlighted as a good tip, but doing this strategically means taking note of their locations within the tableau.

Naturally, it helps when the deal leaves the Aces and Twos nearer the surface. Regardless of their positioning, though, you should focus on getting to them first. If the 10 of Hearts and 10 of Diamonds are currently both available to play but the 10 of Hearts is only two cards away from an Ace, it is usually better to move this before the equivalent card from the Diamonds suit.

Use Free Cells to Move a Sequence

At times, you may find that you have a sequence of six cards that cannot be moved to another column. For example, if you have a 4 to 9 sequence, it cannot be moved to the corresponding 10, even if it is free. In this instance, if you also have a free column, you can use your free cells by moving the 4, 5, 6, and 7 into the four temporary slots.

After this, you can move the 8 across to the free column before moving the 9 to the 10. Next you can move the 8 over to the 9 before bringing the 7, 6, 5, and 4 down from the free cells. In this case, you will be back to four free cells and a free column before starting your next sequence of moves.

Create Additional Cells via Free Columns

If you had unlimited free cells, every game could be completed with ease. So, any opportunity to create an additional space should be embraced. Clearing all of the cards in any given column frees up a new space. You can subsequently move the top card from any of the remaining columns to reveal the card directly underneath - or move a card currently held in one of the four cells.

The added bonus of this strategy is that you won’t lose any of the four free cells, meaning you can still move a sequence of up to five cards. To make the most of this space, you should either move a King or other high-value card into this spot or use a card that you can then move onto an existing sequence within the next few moves.

Only Build One Red and One Black Home Cell Pile Beyond the 3

While the aim of the game is to eventually build all of your home cell piles to the King, you must remember that sequences in the tableau are alternating colors. So, if you have both red home cell piles completed up to the Eights, using the Fives or Sixes from the Spades and Clubs will be difficult.

Therefore, it may be wise to focus on building either Hearts or Diamonds with either Spades or Clubs. This way, there will still be opportunities to build sequences with alternating colors. If you get to a point where both Red Fives are shown but one of the Black Sixes is already home, the free cells and free column spaces can come to the rescue.

Plan Multiple Moves Ahead

Perhaps the most common mistake committed by new FreeCell players is to simply play every move that can be played. In reality, though, playing a Red 4 to a Black 5 followed by a Black 7 to a Red 8 and a Red 10 to a Black Jack without thinking things through could quickly lead you down a dead end. Patience is a virtue.

Sometimes, it is better to hold back on playing a move because it could block a different move. Likewise, opting to send a card to the free cells rather than create a sequence could be advantageous if it means freeing up an Ace within the next few moves. Or you may find that keeping a sequence split into two is useful if combining them would make it impossible to move the sequence due to its length. Take the time to think through your next moves before making a play and you will make fewer mistakes. In turn, the percentage of games you complete will soar.

Making FreeCell More Difficult

The great news is that FreeCell is almost always beatable, which allows you to work on your

strategy and enjoy the feeling of winning more frequently than you would with traditional Solitaire. While FreeCell is still challenging, the best players will find that they solve the game virtually every time. When this happens, the game continues to deliver a plethora of benefits by keeping your mind active but may lose some of its appeal.

There are ways to make the game more challenging, though. The ideas you may wish to try include, but are not limited to;

• Give yourself a time limit for how long you have to complete the game.
• If playing online at 247 FreeCell, remove the ‘card shade’ from the settings, which will stop the computer from letting you know what moves are available.
• Ban yourself from using the ‘undo’ button, or put a limit on how many times you can use it within a game.
• Create an order for how you wish to complete the suits in your foundation.
• Limit the number of moves that you are allowed to keep any given card in a free cell before quitting the game.

Through a combination of self-imposed restrictions and modified settings, the game becomes a lot harder. While the win ratio may fall, victories will feel more rewarding.

Mixing Things Up: Trying FreeCell Variants

Standard FreeCell will keep you entertained for hours and could quickly become your favorite solo-player card game. However, once you’ve mastered your play, there are several alternatives to consider. The most popular alternatives can all be enjoyed online at 247 FreeCell while the automatic deals remove the need for checking your deck, adding a second deck, or designating the free cells and home cells.

Aside from convenience, this approach will block you from completing illegal moves, thus easing you into the contrasting rules or tactics. The best FreeCell variants are as follows;

• Double FreeCell - Played with two decks of cards, the tableau is made from 10 columns (4 x 11 cards, 6 x 10 cards) while there are six free cells at the top left of the table to temporarily hold a card.
• 3/2/1 FreeCell - This describes three different variants. All are played the same as traditional FreeCell but either one, two, or three free cell spaces rather than the traditional four spots to increase the difficulty.
• Baker’s Freecell - Baker’s FreeCell works very similar to traditional FreeCell, except cards in the tableau are built by suit rather than alternating colors. So, instead of stacking the 4 of Hearts onto the 5 of Spades/Clubs, it goes to the 5 of Hearts.
• Eight Off - The tableau contains four columns of seven cards and four of six cards while there are eight free cell spaces. In some variants, all eight columns contain six cards and the remaining four cards take up four of the cells.

All of the above games deliver a fresh approach to FreeCell while still building the skills that help you thrive in the traditional game. All can be played at 247 FreeCell or with a standard deck (two for Double FreeCell) of cards.

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