FreeCell Win Rate: How Hard Is It Really?

Players often quote a win rate for FreeCell, and the number is usually very high. We do not publish a human win rate because we have not measured one. What we can explain is why the game is so winnable and where the difficulty actually lies.

Why FreeCell is so winnable

All 52 cards are face up from the start, so nothing is hidden and there is no luck after the deal. You also have four free cells, eight columns and the ability to move a whole ordered run together. Nearly every random deal has a winning line, and Solitaire Play deals only games where one has been found and replayed.

Where the difficulty is

A solver's win rate is not a win rate for people. Finding the winning line means planning many moves ahead, and one careless move can lock it away. Typical mistakes are filling the free cells early, emptying a column and filling it with a card that cannot move again, and burying a low card.

How to win more often

Free the Aces and 2s first, keep free cells empty, and empty a column on purpose, since an empty column is worth more than a free cell. Plan before you move, and use Undo freely. The move limit explains why free cells and empty columns matter so much. More tactics are in the FreeCell strategy guide, and the solver figures are in FreeCell solver: is every deal solvable?

Frequently asked questions