Sources and verification

Sources consulted

• FreeCell (new tab) (Wikipedia): the game’s history and standard rules
• FreeCell (new tab) (Wikipedia (in English)): rules, the formula for moving groups, solvability of the 32 000 Windows deals and deal no. 11982
• Patience games (new tab) (Pagat (John McLeod)): classification of solitaire games and variants

Links accessed on October 30, 2026. The rules described on this site are primarily those of the FreeCell Solitaire app, as read in its code.

How the examples are verified

Before each publication, a program checks the 6 example deals and every figure on the site:

• the deal is recalculated from its game code, using the same shuffle as the app, and compared with the deal produced by the app's code;
• 52 cards, all different, columns of 7, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 6 and 6 cards;
• every move of the solutions is replayed and must be allowed by the app’s rules; the game must end in a win;
• group sizes, points and score are recalculated;
• the cited rules (cells, foundations, empty column, scoring) are re-read in the app’s code.

Strategy tips are presented as tips, separate from the rules. Found a mistake? Write to us through the contact page.