Free Cell Free for Windows 8

A simple desktop time waster with hidden depths

Single player card games have been the mainstay of free software that come with every Windows package, but none have the following or engagement of Freecell. The biggest draw of the game is that, in theory, every game is winnable. In some cases, there are multiple different ways of winning, whilst in the harder games, you may have to replay the level repeatedly to find the successful path.

Gameplay

The concept of Freecell is the same as most other solitaire card games: clear all of the cards in suit order from a pre-dealt tableau. You start with all 52 cards dealt face up in 8 columns, giving you 4 with 6 cards and 4 columns with 7. Moving the cards is simple as you can only put red on black and vice versa and only the next smallest number.

You also start with 8 spaces above the board. On the right are the destination squares, where you'll make the 4 piles of suits from ace to king. On the left are the "free cells". You use these to put cards in from the tableau that are getting in your way, and to fill in spaces when they become available. Use them wisely, as clogging up the free cells early can stop you from moving groups of cards around.

Strategies

There is no one particular way to get a sure fire win with Freecell as each game has its own paths to victory. However, a good place to start for beginners is to spot the aces and work towards getting them out of the tableau as quickly as possible. You should also aim to avoid big stacks of consecutive cards until later in the game, as these can be difficult to move with only four free cells to help you.

Statistics

The Windows 8 version of Freecell is the one worth having as it not only keeps tracks of your total number of wins and losses, but also shows you your quickest, slowest and average time as well as allowing you to split your games into "sessions".

Pros

• Good thinking game
• Simple game play
• Lots of statistics

Cons

• Frustrating harder levels
• Hint function often doesn't help
• No ability to save games for later