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