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A comprehensive glossary of terms used in FreeCell and related solitaire card games. Understanding these terms will help you follow strategy guides and communicate with other players.
A building rule requiring that consecutive cards in a sequence alternate between red (hearts, diamonds) and black (spades, clubs). In FreeCell, tableau columns are built down in alternating colors -- for example, a red Queen on a black King, then a black Jack on the red Queen.
A feature in digital FreeCell games that automatically moves cards to the foundations when it is safe to do so. A move is considered safe when no card of the opposite color and lower rank might still be needed in the tableau.
The act of placing cards in a sequence according to the game rules. "Building down" means placing cards in descending rank order (King, Queen, Jack...). "Building up" means ascending rank order (Ace, 2, 3...). FreeCell uses building down in the tableau and building up on the foundations.
Another name for a tableau column. In FreeCell, the eight cascades are the main playing area where cards are arranged in overlapping columns so all cards are visible.
See "Cascade." One of the eight vertical arrangements of cards in the FreeCell tableau.
A specific arrangement of all 52 cards in the tableau at the start of a game. Each deal is identified by a unique number in most digital FreeCell implementations, allowing players to replay the same deal or share challenging arrangements.
The four piles where cards are placed in ascending order by suit, from Ace to King. Completing all four foundations wins the game. Foundations are typically located in the upper-right area of the playing field.
One of the four temporary storage spaces in the upper-left corner of the playing field. Each free cell can hold exactly one card. These cells give the game its name and are the primary mechanism for maneuvering cards within the tableau.
A building rule requiring cards to be of the same suit (all hearts, all spades, etc.). Foundations in FreeCell are always built in suit. Some FreeCell variants like Baker's Game require in-suit building in the tableau as well.
Building cards on top of each other in the tableau. "Packing down in alternating colors" is the standard FreeCell building rule. The term originates from traditional card game terminology.
The numerical or face value of a card: Ace (low), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King (high). In FreeCell, rank determines building order in both the tableau (descending) and foundations (ascending).
A run of cards in consecutive rank order following the game's building rules. In FreeCell, a valid tableau sequence is descending in rank with alternating colors (e.g., black 9, red 8, black 7, red 6).
One of the four categories of cards in a standard deck: hearts and diamonds (red), spades and clubs (black). Each suit contains 13 cards from Ace to King. In FreeCell, each foundation is dedicated to one suit.
A convenience feature in digital FreeCell that allows moving an entire valid sequence of cards in one action, as long as there are enough empty free cells and columns to accomplish the move one card at a time. The maximum supermove size is (1 + empty free cells) x 2^(empty columns).
The main playing area consisting of the eight columns (cascades) where cards are arranged and manipulated. At the start of a FreeCell game, all 52 cards are dealt into the tableau -- the first four columns get 7 cards and the last four get 6 cards.
The last (bottom-most visible) card in a tableau column. Only top cards can be directly moved to free cells, foundations, or other columns. Accessing buried cards requires first moving the top cards above them.
A feature in digital FreeCell that reverses the last move. Most modern implementations offer unlimited undo, allowing players to backtrack and try different strategies. Expert players use undo to explore move sequences before committing to a path.