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How to Play FreeCell Double Solitaire

Quick Guide

  • Deck:

    FreeCell Double Solitaire is played with 2 standard decks of 52 cards (for a total of 104 cards).

  • Deal Out:

    Deal 10 columns with 10 cards each, all facing up and partially overlapping.

  • Cells and Foundation Piles:

    Leave room above the Tableau for 6 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles. Deal an Ace in each of the Foundation Piles, one for each suit.

  • Objective:

    Build 8 double Foundation Piles in ascending order from Ace to King, and then from Ace to King again.

  • The Challenge:

    Play with twice as many cards — but only 50% more Cells!

  • Difficulty Level:

    Most rounds of Double FreeCell are entirely winnable — but it requires more skill and strategy than standard FreeCell.

Setting Up the Game

Dealing Out the Tableau

  • Item 1

    In Double FreeCell, the Tableau consists of 100 cards arranged in 10 columns. Each column has 10 cards, stacked so each card only partially covers the one above it.

  • Item 2

    Deal out all 10 columns side-by-side at the bottom of 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 6 Cells and 4 Foundation Piles, each arranged in a single row.

  • Step 2

    Deal an Ace in each of the Foundation piles, one for each suit (so, an Ace of Hearts, Ace of Diamonds, Ace of Clubs, and an Ace of Spades).

Rules for Playing Big FreeCell Solitaire

How to Win

Your goal is to complete 4 double Foundation Piles. You win when the Tableau and Cells are empty.

Stacking Cards in the Tableau

  • Rule 1

    Cards in the Tableau can only be placed under a card of an alternating color. A card with a red suit (Hearts or Diamonds) can only be stacked under a card with a black suit (Clubs or Spades) and vice-versa.

  • Rule 2

    Cards can only be moved to the Tableau under a card that is one rank higher. For instance, a 10 can only be placed under a Jack.

  • Rule 3

    Empty spaces in the Tableau can be filled with any card, regardless of rank or suit

  • Rule 4

    You can only move one card at a time. Stacks of cards cannot be moved together unless there are enough available spaces in the Tableau or Cells to move each card individually.

Moving Cards In and Out of Cells

  • Rule 1

    Any card at the bottom of a column in the Tableau can be moved to an empty Cell.

  • Rule 2

    Cards in the Cells can be moved back to the Tableau or used to build Foundation Piles at any point in the game.

  • Rule 3

    A card in a Cell can only be moved to the Tableau if there is a suitable place for it (an empty space or stacked below a card of a different color suit that is one rank higher).

  • Rule 4

    Each Cell can only hold a single card. Cards cannot be stacked in the Cells.

Building Foundation Piles

  • Rule 1

    Each Foundation Pile must have a single suit and be built from the lowest rank (Ace) to the highest (King).

  • Rule 2

    To build a Foundation Pile, move a card from the Cells or Tableau that is one rank higher than the top card in the pile and has the same suit. For example, if the top card in the Foundation Pile is a 7 of Clubs, the next card you add will be an 8 of Clubs.

  • Rule 3

    In Double FreeCell, each Foundation Pile already has an Ace at the start of the game. So the first card you can add is a 2 of the same suit.

  • Rule 4

    Double FreeCell also uses double Foundation Piles, which means that you have to complete each Foundation Pile twice. When you add the first King to a Foundation Pile, the next card you add will be an Ace, followed by a 2, and so forth.

  • Rule 5

    A double Foundation Pile is complete when two of every card from the same suit have been stacked in it (in order from Ace to King, then from Ace to King again).

Other Rules

  • Rule 1

    Cards cannot be moved out of the Foundation Piles.

Playing Double FreeCell Solitaire – The Layout

  • 1.The Tableau

    Stack all the cards face-up, forming 10 columns with 10 cards each.

    The Tableau
  • 2.The Cells

    Leave 6 empty spaces above the Tableau — these are the Cells.

    The Cells
  • 3.The Foundation Piles

    Start 4 Foundation Piles by dealing 4 Aces, one for each suit.

    The Foundation Piles

The Gameplay

  • 1.Stack Cards in Alternating Suits

    Cards in the Tableau can only be placed under cards of a different color.

    Stack Cards in Alternating Suits
  • 2.Stack by Rank

    Cards in the Tableau can only be stacked under cards that are one rank higher.

    Stack by Rank
  • 3.Store Cards in the Cells

    Move cards into empty Cells at any point in the game — and move them back to the Tableau as needed.

    Store Cards in the Cells
  • 4.Build Double Foundation Piles

    Build up each Foundation Pile in order of rank (Ace to King) — then build them up one more time. You win when all double Foundation Piles are complete!

    Build Double Foundation Piles

Strategies for Double FreeCell Solitaire

Double FreeCell gives you a few advantages — an Ace in each Foundation pile and 6 empty Cells. But with double the cards in play, it can still be very challenging to complete those Foundation Piles!

There’s a small element of luck to Double FreeCell Solitaire, but winning is all about strategy. Here are some tips to help you play with skill:

  • Scan the Tableau for 2’s

    You need 2’s to start building those Foundation Piles, so start by locating them. Find the ones that are lowest in the Tableau and work your way to them first.

  • Look for Doubles Before Making Your Move

    There are 2 of every card in your Tableau (except for Aces). So before moving cards to get the 9 of Hearts, locate the other 9 of Hearts - it might be easier to access.

  • Use Your Cells Sparingly

    You’re playing with twice as many cards, but you don’t have twice as many Cells. Those Cells can fill up quickly if you’re not careful. Use them only when necessary to avoid getting stuck.

Similar Games to Double FreeCell Solitaire

Keep the fun going with these other great games:

  • Game 1

    FreeCell Solitaire — The classic version of the game!

  • Game 2

    Big FreeCell — Twice the cards, twice the Cells, twice the Foundation Piles!

  • Game 3

    Pyramid Solitaire (Pharaohs) — Pyramid Solitaire with three pyramids instead of one!

More Power to You!

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