How to Play FreeCell

FreeCell uses a standard 52-card deck. Your goal is to move all cards to the four foundation piles, sorted by suit from Ace to King. Almost every deal is winnable if you plan your moves carefully.

The board consists of:

• 4 FreeCells – temporary storage for one card each

• 4 Foundations – build each suit from A → K

• 8 Tableau columns – where most card movement happens

Basic rules

• Cards in the tableau must be placed on cards one rank higher and of the opposite color (Red on Black, Black on Red).

• A FreeCell can hold only one card.

• Empty tableau columns can be filled with any card or any valid descending sequence.

• Foundations must be built in suit order, starting from Ace.

Strategy Tips

FreeCell is famous for being more strategic than luck-based solitaire. Every move matters — here are the most effective strategies (based on classic FreeCell theory + how your Eqsy version works):

1. Keep your FreeCells open

FreeCells are your short-term storage.
The more FreeCells you have available, the larger sequences you can move at once.
Try to keep at least two open as often as possible.

2. Free the Aces and low cards early

Aces, 2s, and 3s block the foundations.
Getting them out early makes the entire game unfold more smoothly.

3. Avoid burying important cards

Think about what lies underneath a card before placing a long sequence on top of it.
Don’t cover cards that you’ll need soon.

4. Use empty tableau columns wisely

An empty column is the strongest resource in FreeCell.
It acts like a super-FreeCell because you can move entire runs into it.

5. Build long alternating sequences when possible

A descending red/black run gives you flexibility later.
Just be sure the run doesn’t hide cards you urgently need.

6. Think several moves ahead

FreeCell isn’t about reacting — it’s about planning.
Before you make a move, consider how it affects future moves and what resources it opens or closes.

7. In Eqsy FreeCell: Pay attention to move capacity

Your version follows true FreeCell logic:
The number of cards you can move at once depends on:

• FreeCells available

• Empty tableau columns

Capacity = (FreeCells + 1) × 2^(Empty Columns)

The game will display helpful hint messages like:
“Need capacity 4, have 2.”
Use this to decide when to free up additional space.

Daily FreeCell – Same Deal for Everyone

Eqsy FreeCell includes a Daily Mode, where all players receive the exact same card layout for the selected date. Every day has one unique deal that never changes — perfect for challenges, comparisons, and improving your strategy.

How Daily Mode works

• Each date generates one fixed FreeCell deal, identical for all players.

• You can play today’s challenge and any day in the past.

• Future dates are locked — you cannot play a daily deal before its actual date.

• You can replay the same day’s layout as many times as you want.

Scoring the Daily Challenge

Whether you solve the game or not, you can still submit your score for that date.
Your entry will be marked as:

• Solved – if you managed to complete all four foundations

• Not solved – if the game ended or no more moves were available

This allows everyone to participate, compare results, and challenge themselves even on tough daily deals.

Why Daily Mode is fun

Daily FreeCell creates a fair challenge because every player works through the same layout.
It’s great for:

• Competing with friends

• Tracking improvement over time

• Revisiting previous daily puzzles

• Practicing difficult layouts repeatedly

Tips for Daily Mode

• Difficult days happen — that’s part of the challenge.

• Use FreeCells wisely to increase your movability capacity.

• Empty tableau columns are extremely powerful; protect them.

• If you don’t solve it, try again later — your strategy might evolve.