What is the Win Rate for Eight Off Solitaire?
~85-95% Solvable
Eight Off Solitaire offers
excellent solvability thanks to its 8 free cells and complete information. While not quite matching
FreeCell's near-perfect rate, most games are winnable with careful play.
What Makes Eight Off Unique?
Eight Off is the historical predecessor to FreeCell, and its rules create a distinct strategic challenge:
- 8 free cells instead of 4 (twice the temporary storage)
- Suit-based building: Cards must match suit, not just alternate colors
- Only Kings can fill empty columns
- 4 cells pre-filled at the start (the four Aces or other cards)
The FreeCell Connection
Eight Off predates FreeCell and inspired its design. Paul Alfille simplified Eight Off when creating FreeCell in 1978, reducing from 8 to 4 cells and switching to alternating-color building. This made FreeCell slightly easier to learn but kept the core perfect-information gameplay.
Theoretical vs Practical Win Rates
| Player Level | Typical Win Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 35-50% | Learning suit-building rules |
| Intermediate | 60-75% | Understands cell management |
| Expert | 80-90% | Plans King placements early |
| Theoretical Maximum | ~85-95% | Perfect play with undo |
Why Eight Off is Slightly Harder Than FreeCell
Despite having more free cells, Eight Off has lower solvability because:
- Suit-only building: You can only place cards on same-suit sequences, reducing options
- King restriction: Only Kings can fill empty columns, limiting flexibility
- Pre-filled cells: Starting with 4 cells occupied reduces early game options
- Deeper decision trees: More cells mean more possible moves, making optimal play harder
How Does Eight Off Compare to Other Solitaire Games?
| Variant | Win Rate | Skill vs Luck |
|---|---|---|
| FreeCell | 99.999% | Almost pure skill |
| Eight Off | ~85-95% | High skill, some luck |
| Seahaven Towers | ~88% | High skill |
| Baker's Game | ~75% | High skill |
| Double FreeCell | ~99% | Skill-based |
Tips to Improve Your Win Rate
- Plan for Kings early: Since only Kings fill empty columns, identify where each King will go
- Prioritize freeing Aces and Twos: Get foundations started quickly
- Keep cells open: Even with 8 cells, avoid filling them all—maintain flexibility
- Build same-suit sequences: Create long runs in the tableau to reduce moves needed
- Use undo liberally: Explore different strategies to find the winning path
Ready to Test Your Skills?
Challenge yourself with Eight Off Solitaire. With 8 free cells and complete information, can you master the precursor to FreeCell?
Play Eight Off Solitaire