FreeCell tips
Almost every FreeCell deal can be won, and because all the cards are visible, a little planning goes a long way. These tips will help you clear more boards.
1. Look before your first move
Take a moment to find the Aces and Twos. Notice which columns they are buried in and how many cards sit on top of them. Your first few moves should work toward freeing them.
2. Keep free cells empty
Free cells are handy, but each card you park there reduces how many cards you can move at once. Use a free cell when it leads somewhere — freeing an Ace, emptying a column — and try to move the card back out soon.
3. An empty column is worth more than a free cell
An empty column can hold a whole ordered group, and it doubles the number of cards you can move in one step. When you have a chance to empty a column, it is often the best move on the board.
4. Work on short columns
A column with only three or four cards is the easiest one to clear. Clearing it gives you that valuable empty space.
5. Build long ordered runs
Red-black-red-black runs are easy to move later. When you have a choice, place a card where it extends a neat run rather than on a messy column.
6. Don't rush cards to the foundations
Low cards are safe to move up. Higher cards may still be useful as places to put other cards.
7. Think a few moves ahead
Before you fill the last free cell, ask: what will I do next? If the answer is "nothing", try a different move or tap Undo.
8. Replay a deal
If a game beats you, note the game number and try it again from the menu. Knowing the layout makes the second try much easier.
New to FreeCell? Start with how to play.