Is FreeCell Solitaire Always Winnable?
The 8 Known Impossible FreeCell Games
Of the first 1,000,000 Microsoft FreeCell deal numbers, only these 8 have been mathematically proven unsolvable:
#11982, #146692, #186216, #455889, #495505, #512118, #517776, #781948
If you're not playing one of these specific numbered games, your deal is winnable.
The Legend of Game #11982
Deal #11982 from the original Microsoft FreeCell became legendary in gaming circles:
- 1995: Microsoft releases FreeCell with 32,000 deals
- 1995-1999: Players solve 31,999 of them, but #11982 resists all attempts
- 2000s: Mathematical analysis proves it's genuinely impossible
- Today: Attempting #11982 is a rite of passage for FreeCell enthusiasts
The reason #11982 is impossible comes down to the specific arrangement of cards that creates an inescapable blocking pattern - no sequence of moves can free up the cards needed to win.
Why Is FreeCell So Solvable?
FreeCell's near-perfect solvability stems from its design:
- Complete visibility: All 52 cards are face-up from the start
- 4 free cells: Temporary storage provides crucial flexibility
- 8 tableau columns: Many places to reorganize cards
- Supermoves: Empty cells and columns multiply movement options
Compare this to Klondike Solitaire, where hidden cards mean approximately 18-20% of deals are impossible to win no matter what you do.
How Do We Know a Game Is Truly Impossible?
Proving a FreeCell game unsolvable requires exhaustive computer analysis:
- Brute force search: Try every possible sequence of legal moves
- State space exploration: Map all possible board configurations
- Dead-end detection: Prove no path leads to victory
For impossible games, the computer confirms that every legal move sequence eventually reaches an unwinnable state - with no exceptions.
What If I Can't Win a Game?
Before assuming your deal is impossible, consider:
- Use undo liberally: The solution often requires trying different approaches
- Plan ahead: Look 5-10 moves into the future before committing
- Prioritize empty columns: They're more valuable than free cells
- Don't fill cells early: Keep your options open
Remember: only 8 in 1,000,000 deals are impossible. The odds of randomly encountering one are 0.0008%.
FreeCell vs Other Solitaire Games
| Game | Impossible Deals | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| FreeCell | ~0.001% | Complete information, flexible storage |
| Klondike | ~18-20% | Hidden cards, limited stock passes |
| Yukon | ~15-20% | Some deals have unavoidable blocks |
| Forty Thieves | ~90% | Strict rules, single-card movement |
Test Your Skills on a Winnable Game
Our FreeCell uses random shuffles - virtually guaranteed to be solvable. Think strategically and you can win!
Play FreeCell Solitaire