Eight Off FreeCell Solitaire

How to Play Eight Off FreeCell — Quick Guide

Goal:
Build up each home pile by suit, from A to K (A, 2, 3, …).
Moving Cards:
You can organize the columns by moving cards in descending order and matching suits (like 5 on 6).
You can move a whole group of cards if they’re in sequence.
Max cards in a group = number of empty free cells + 1. If no cells are free, you can only move one card at a time.
Free cells:
Each free cell can hold one card. Use them to free up space and help with moves.
At the start, 4 cells are filled and 4 are empty.
Empty Columns:
Only a K can start a new column.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

Item 1
In Eight Off, the Tableau consists of 8 columns with 6 cards each. Each card in the Tableau partially covers the one above it.
Item 2
Arrange the columns side-by-side in the playing area.
Item 3
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.

Cells and Foundation Piles

Step 1
Leave room above the Tableau for 8 Cells arranged in a single row.
Step 2
Deal out the remaining cards in the first 4 Cells, face-up.
Step 3
Leave room above the Cells for 4 Foundation Piles, also arranged in a single row.

Rules for Playing Eight Off Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to move every card to the Foundation Piles. You win when the Cells and Tableau are empty.

Stacking Cards in the Tableau

Rule 1
A card moved to the Tableau can only be placed under a card of the same suit that is one rank higher. For example, a 3 of Spades can only be stacked under a 4 of Spades.
Rule 2
An empty space in the Tableau can only be filled by a King.
Rule 3
You can only move one card at a time. Stacked cards cannot be moved together unless there are enough spaces in the Tableau or Cells to move each of the cards individually.

Moving Cards In and Out of Cells

Rule 1
Any available card in the Tableau can be moved to an empty Cell.
Rule 2
Cards can be moved from the Cells to the Tableau or a Foundation Pile at any point in the game.
Rule 3
A card can only be moved from a Cell if it can be placed in the Tableau or at the top of a Foundation Pile.
Rule 4
Cards cannot be stacked in the Cells — each Cell can only hold one card at a time.

Building Foundation Piles

Rule 1
Foundation Piles must be stacked with cards of the same suit in ascending order (from Ace to King).
Rule 2
To start a Foundation Pile, move an Ace to an empty Foundation Pile.
Rule 3
To build your Foundation Piles, add a card that has the same suit and is one rank higher than the top card in the pile. For example, if the top card is the Jack of Spades, the only card you can add to the pile is the Queen of Spades.
Rule 4
You can build the Foundation Piles using cards from the Tableau or the Cells.
Rule 5
A Foundation Pile is complete when it contains all 13 cards in a single suit, stacked in the following order: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King.

Other Rules

Rule 1
Cards cannot be moved out of the Foundation Piles.

Playing Eight Off Solitaire – The Layout

1.The Tableau
Deal 8 columns with 6 cards each, all face-up.
2.The Cells
Leave 8 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells — add the 4 remaining cards to the Cells.
3.The Foundation Piles
Leave 4 spaces above the Cells for your Foundation Piles.

The Gameplay

1.Stack Cards by Suit
Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under cards with the same suit.
2.Sort by Rank
Cards in the Tableau can only be placed under cards that are one rank higher.
3.Store Cards in the Cells
Use the Cells to free up cards in the Tableau.
4.Fill Empty Spaces with Kings
Empty spaces in the Tableau can only be filled by Kings.
5.Build Your Foundation Piles
Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, from Ace to King. You win when all Foundation Piles are complete!

Strategies for Eight Off Solitaire

Eight Off gives you twice as many Cells to play with, which makes it an easier variant of FreeCell. It’s still possible to lose, however, so you’ll have to play with a bit of skill.

Use these strategies to improve your gameplay:

Locate Your Aces
Find the Aces in the Tableau and start working your way to them. The sooner you start building Foundation Piles, the greater your odds of winning.
Sort Your Columns
Since the cards in the Tableau can only be stacked by rank and suit, building columns will help you send multiple cards to the Foundation Piles in a row.
Don’t Focus on Creating Empty Spaces
Empty Tableau spaces are a lifesaver in FreeCell — in Eight Off, they’re not nearly as useful. Since you can only fill the spaces with Kings, clearing multiple columns won’t help you much. Devote your energy to freeing up Cells and building Foundations instead.

Similar Games to Eight Off Solitaire

Keep the fun going with these great games:

Game 1
FreeCell Solitaire — The classic version of the game!
Game 2
ForeCell Solitaire — Turn up the challenge with this FreeCell variant!
Game 3
Klondike Solitaire — The familiar game you know and love!

More Power to You!

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