FreeCell Variations

Classic FreeCell is the version most people know and love, popularized by Microsoft Windows. It uses a standard 52-card deck dealt into 8 tableau columns (4 columns of 7, 4 columns of 6), with 4 free cells for temporary storage and 4 foundations to build up by suit from Ace to King. The defining feature is that all cards are dealt face-up, giving players complete information. Tableau building follows descending rank with alternating colors (red on black, black on red). The supermove mechanic allows moving multiple cards when enough free cells and empty columns are available. Classic FreeCell has an exceptionally high solvability rate — over 99.999% of random deals are winnable with perfect play. This makes it one of the fairest solitaire games, where skill is the primary factor in success.

Baker's Game is actually the predecessor to FreeCell and is considered the more challenging version. Created by C.L. Baker in the 1960s, it uses the same layout as FreeCell — 8 columns, 4 free cells, 4 foundations — but with one critical difference. In Baker's Game, tableau columns must be built by suit rather than by alternating colors. This means you can only place the 9 of hearts on the 10 of hearts, not on the 10 of clubs. This single rule change dramatically reduces the number of valid moves available and makes the game significantly harder. While classic FreeCell has a solvability rate above 99%, Baker's Game drops to roughly 75% of deals being solvable. The game requires even more careful planning because you have far fewer options for moving cards between columns. Baker's Game is recommended for experienced FreeCell players looking for a greater challenge. If you can consistently win Baker's Game, you have truly mastered the FreeCell family of games.

Eight Off takes the FreeCell concept and doubles the temporary storage — you get 8 free cells instead of 4. However, this extra storage comes with balancing restrictions that keep the game challenging. The layout uses 8 tableau columns with all 48 cards dealt face-up (6 cards per column). The remaining 4 cards are placed directly into 4 of the 8 free cells at the start. The key restriction in Eight Off is that tableau building must be done by suit, not alternating colors (similar to Baker's Game). Additionally, only Kings can be placed in empty tableau columns. Despite having more free cells, the suit-building requirement and the King restriction make Eight Off roughly as difficult as standard FreeCell. The solvability rate is around 88-92%, placing it between classic FreeCell and Baker's Game in difficulty. Eight Off offers a distinct strategic experience — the abundance of free cells encourages a different style of play focused on suit-based sequence building.

Seahaven Towers (sometimes called Towers) is a FreeCell variant with a unique layout that creates a tighter, more constrained puzzle. The game deals 50 cards into 10 tableau columns of 5 cards each. The remaining 2 cards are placed into 2 of the 4 free cells (called "towers"). All cards are face-up. Tableau building follows descending rank by suit only (like Baker's Game). The crucial restriction is that only Kings may be placed into empty tableau columns — no other card can start a new column. Seahaven Towers has a solvability rate of approximately 89%. The 10-column layout with only 5 cards per column creates many short columns, but the suit-only building and King restriction make moving cards between columns much more difficult than in standard FreeCell. This variant rewards careful planning around King placement and suit-based sequences. It is an excellent choice for players who find classic FreeCell too easy but want a slightly different feel than Baker's Game.

Penguin (also known as Penguin Solitaire) adds a unique twist to the FreeCell formula: the foundation starting rank is randomly determined. At the start of the game, one card is removed and placed on a foundation. This card's rank becomes the base rank for all four foundations. The other three cards of the same rank are then located and placed on the other three foundations. All remaining cards are dealt into 7 tableau columns. Tableau columns are built down by suit, wrapping from Ace to King if necessary (since the foundation might not start at Ace). Only cards of the rank immediately below the foundation base can be placed in empty columns. This variable starting point means you cannot rely on memorized strategies — each game presents a genuinely different puzzle. Penguin has 7 free cells (called "the flipper"), giving generous temporary storage. The solvability rate varies depending on the starting rank but averages around 95%. Penguin is an excellent choice for players who want variety within the FreeCell family.

FreeCell and Klondike are the two most popular solitaire card games in the world, but they offer fundamentally different experiences. Information: FreeCell deals all cards face-up, giving complete information. Klondike has many face-down cards, introducing hidden information and luck. Skill vs Luck: FreeCell is almost purely skill-based — over 99% of deals are solvable with perfect play. Klondike's win rate with perfect play is only about 79-82%, and many games are lost simply due to an unfavorable deal. Storage: FreeCell uses 4 dedicated free cells for temporary storage. Klondike uses a stock and waste pile system for drawing additional cards. Tableau Building: Both games build in descending rank with alternating colors, but Klondike allows moving entire face-up sequences between columns, while FreeCell limits moves based on available free cells and empty columns. Empty Columns: In FreeCell, any card can fill an empty column. In Klondike, only Kings can be placed in empty columns. Game Length: FreeCell games typically take 5-15 minutes. Klondike games are usually faster at 3-10 minutes. Difficulty: FreeCell is generally considered more strategic and challenging on a per-game basis, while Klondike is more accessible but has a higher variance in outcomes. Choose FreeCell if you want a pure logic puzzle where every loss teaches you something. Choose Klondike if you enjoy a faster, more casual game where luck adds excitement.