FreeCell is a card game that, along with hundreds of others, belongs to the Solitaire family. Other popular games within this family include Klondike and Spider Solitaire. The characteristic of Solitaire games, FreeCell included, is that they are designed for solo play. The distinguishing feature of FreeCell compared to other Solitaire games is that in most instances, FreeCell can be solved and all cards are dealt face-up, providing an immediate overview of the cards on the playing field.
The first computerized FreeCell game was developed in 1978 by Paul Alfille. Many years later, Microsoft programmer Jim Horn rediscovered it and crafted a version that has been bundled with all Windows software to date. This widespread distribution is why FreeCell has surged in popularity over the years; anyone with a Windows PC can readily access the FreeCell game.
To the uninitiated, FreeCell may appear complex, but in reality, it isn't. At the start of the game, 52 cards are distributed into eight columns, known as the tableau. Above this tableau, you'll find four empty cells on both the left and right sides. The cells on the left, referred to as free cells, serve as temporary storage for cards not currently in use. The four cells on the right form the foundation, where all the cards will eventually be arranged in ascending order from Ace to King, and sorted by suit, i.e., spades, diamonds, clubs, and hearts. The game is won once all four foundations are complete.
The primary objective is to transfer all cards to the foundation, which requires strategic moves among the tableau cards to free other usable cards. Given that each foundation starts with an ace, your first move should involve freeing up the aces, followed by the 2s, 3s, and so on. You can achieve this by moving a card from one tableau column to another, alternating colours, and in descending order. The value of a moved card must be one point lower. For instance, a red 9 can be placed on a black 10, and a queen on a king. If a card is temporarily not in use, move it to one of the four empty free cells in the top left-hand corner.
The best way to master this game is by playing FreeCell online a lot, and you can do that on this website, FreeCellOnline.com, where you'll find an extensive selection of online games. They are all free and can be played directly in your browser. Additionally, the website provides comprehensive game rules, and we have numerous pages filled with interesting facts and information about the game.
Enjoy the game, and best of luck!