How to Play FreeCell: Rules & Worked Examples

Build down in alternating colors

Move exposed cards onto the opposite color one rank higher. Empty cascades accept any card or legal sequence.

• Red 9 onto black 10
• Keep sequences ordered
• Use empty columns carefully

Use free cells as temporary workspace

Each free cell holds one card. Open cells and cascades determine how many cards can move together.

• Keep one cell open when possible
• Move parked cards out promptly
• An empty cascade is especially valuable

Build foundations from Ace to King

Send each suit home in ascending order. Safe low cards can move automatically, but avoid removing a card needed as a tableau landing place.

• Release Aces early
• Balance red and black foundations
• Complete all four suits to win

Two legal moves and one trap in Microsoft deal 617

Count columns from left to right, starting at 1. Start from a fresh deal 617. If the numbered link restores an earlier attempt, choose Restart first; this replaces that saved attempt.

1. Move J♦ from the bottom of column 1 into an empty free cell. This exposes 4♠ and leaves three free cells open.
2. Move Q♥ from column 8 onto K♣ in column 3. Red Queen on black King is a legal descending move; it also exposes 2♠ in column 8.
3. Move the parked J♦ onto Q♥? Stop: both cards are red, so that move is illegal. Instead return J♦ to an appropriate black Queen later, or use Undo to compare another opening.

These are a rules exercise, not a winning solution. Check both rank and color before moving, and plan a legal exit before parking a card.

If this link resumes a saved attempt, use Restart to return to the opening. The exercise does not load a mid-game position.