Chinese FreeCell Solitaire

How to Play Chinese FreeCell — Quick Guide

Goal:
Build up each home pile by suit, from A to K (A, 2, 3, …) — 2 piles for each of the three suits.
Moving Cards:
You can organise the columns by moving cards in descending order and alternating suits (e.g., 5 on 6, 7 on 8).
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.
Empty Columns:
Only a K can start a new column.

Setting Up the Game

Modifying the Decks

Step 1
Before dealing out any cards, remove all the Clubs (26 cards in total) from your decks.

Dealing Out the Tableau

Item 1
In Chinese FreeCell, the Tableau consists of 10 columns with 7 cards each and 1 column with 8 cards.
Item 2
Stack the columns so each card partially covers the one above it.
Item 3
Arrange the columns side-by-side in the playing area, with the longest column in the middle.
Item 4
Every card in the Tableau is dealt face-up.

Cells and Foundation Piles

Step 1
Leave room above the Tableau for 4 Cells and 6 Foundation Piles, arranged in a single row.

Rules for Playing Chinese FreeCell Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to complete the Foundation Piles. You win when every card has been removed from the Cells and Tableau.

Stacking Cards in the Tableau

Rule 1
A card moved to the Tableau can only be stacked under a card with a different suit. So, a Diamond can only be placed under a Heart or a Spade.
Rule 2
You can only stack a card under a card that is one rank higher. For example, a 7 of Spades can only be placed under an 8 of Hearts or 8 of Diamonds.
Rule 3
Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled by any card.
Rule 4
You can only move one card at a time. Stacked cards cannot be moved together unless there are enough spaces in the Tableau and Cells to move each card individually.

Moving Cards In and Out of Cells

Rule 1
Any playable card can be moved to an empty Cell.
Rule 2
A card can only be moved out of a Cell if there is a suitable place for it (either in the Tableau or a Foundation Pile).
Rule 3
Each Cell can only hold one card at a time. Cards cannot be stacked in the Cells.

Building Foundation Piles

Rule 1
Foundation Piles can only hold 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 of the same suit that is one rank higher than the one at the top of the pile. For example, if the top card is a 5 of Spades, you can only place a 6 of Spades on top of it.
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 Chinese FreeCell Solitaire – The Layout

1.The Tableau
Deal 10 columns with 7 cards each and 1 column with 8 cards, all face-up.
2.The Cells
Leave 4 spaces above the Tableau for the Cells.
3.The Foundation Piles
Leave 6 more spaces above the Tableau for your Foundation Piles.

The Gameplay

1.Stack Cards of Different Suits
Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked if their suits don’t match.
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 store cards for later use.
4.Use Empty Spaces in the Tableau
Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled by any card.
5.Build Your Foundation Piles
Build each Foundation Pile in ascending order, starting with an Ace. You win when all 6 Kings have been moved to their Foundation Piles!

Strategies for Chinese FreeCell Solitaire

Chinese FreeCell can seem intimidating at first, with all those cards and only 4 Cells to fill. But playing with only 3 suits works to your advantage, since it makes it far easier to move cards around the Tableau.

Chinese Solitaire is a game of skill, so use these tips to improve your chances of winning:

Locate Your Aces
Start by scanning the Tableau for Aces, but don’t go for the first one you see. There are 6 in total so find the one closest to the bottom and work your way to it.
Use Your Cells Sparingly
There are plenty of cards in play but only 4 Cells. They can fill up very quickly if you’re not careful, so only use them when you need to.
Free Up Spaces in the Tableau
The columns are big, but with only 3 suits you can empty them quickly. An empty space is like an extra Cell, so try to clear a couple of columns to give yourself more wiggle room.

Similar Games to Chinese FreeCell Solitaire

Keep the fun going! Try these great games

Game 1
FreeCell Solitaire — The classic version of the game!
Game 2
IBig FreeCell Solitaire — Twice the cards, twice the Cells, twice the Foundation Piles!
Game 3
Spider Solitaire — Another Solitaire variant that rewards skill and strategy!

More Power to You!

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