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Freecell is a variation on the traditional solitaire game. It's believed that statistically every game can be won, so keep trying! There may be a solution you haven't seen yet.

Freecell provides you with four sets of cards. Like ordinary solitaire, the cards go black-red-black-red. You can't place a black on a black, except when you're getting rid of them to the home cells.

Before you begin, scan the cards carefully. The trouble spots include aces which are hidden high at the tops of columns. You may need to look for other low-ranking cards hidden behind high-ranking cards. Keep them in mind before making your first move.

Remember that you should try to keep as many cells free as possible. Once you've filled them up with no room to move, the game is over. This is not just about the free cells at the top of the game keeping empty columns unoccupied is important, too.

Not sure which suit a card belongs to? Right click it, to be revealed. This is important when you're trying to get rid of a few cards if you make a mistake here, the game could be lost.

Keep in mind that you can choose to move an entire column or a single card, or as many as you can manage. You'll be prompted as to whether you want the card or the column. Click on the card at the top of the pile that you want to move.

Are you stuck? See if you can move as many cards as possible to the home cells up the top. You may be able to get out of a bind that way.

If you're stuck on a game, there is a cheat you can use to win, although it won't show you the solution - it will just finish the game for you. While playing, hold Ctrl-Shift-F10. You will be asked if you want to Abort, Retry or Ignore. Choose ABORT, then move any card and you'll win immediately.

If you're sick of the usual games, you can call up a secret game. Choose "Select Game" in the Game menu. It will tell you to enter a number from 1 to 32000. Type -1 or -2 and you'll be given a completely new game.

You'll win if you end up with four stacks of cards stacked from highest to lowest in the appropriate suits. Remember, the game will flash when you're in trouble that's when you've only got one more move to make. Take care!

Learn more about this author, Carly Braith.
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