What is the Win Rate for FreeCell Solitaire?
99.999% Solvable
FreeCell Solitaire has the highest solvability rate of any popular solitaire variant. Out of approximately 1.75×1064 possible deals, virtually all are winnable with perfect play.
The Famous Microsoft FreeCell Statistics
The original Microsoft FreeCell (Windows 3.1, 1995) included 32,000 numbered deals. After years of analysis by thousands of players:
- 31,999 deals have been solved
- Only 1 deal (#11982) is provably impossible
- That's a 99.997% solvability rate for those specific games
The Impossible Game
Deal #11982 became famous as the "impossible FreeCell." Despite millions of attempts by players worldwide, no one has ever solved it—and mathematical analysis has proven it cannot be won. It's now a badge of honor among FreeCell enthusiasts to have attempted this deal.
Why FreeCell Has Such High Win Rates
Unlike Klondike where cards start face-down, FreeCell gives you complete information from the start:
- All 52 cards visible: No hidden information means no unlucky surprises
- 4 free cells provide flexible temporary storage
- Supermove mechanics: Empty columns multiply your movement options
- No stock pile: Every card is immediately accessible
Theoretical vs Practical Win Rates
| Player Level | Typical Win Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40-60% | Learning the mechanics |
| Intermediate | 70-85% | Understands strategy basics |
| Expert | 90-99% | Plans multiple moves ahead |
| Theoretical Maximum | 99.999% | Perfect play with undo |
How Does FreeCell Compare to Other Solitaire Games?
FreeCell's near-perfect solvability makes it unique among patience games:
| Variant | Win Rate | Skill vs Luck |
|---|---|---|
| FreeCell | 99.999% | Almost pure skill |
| Klondike Turn 1 | 43-52% | Mixed skill/luck |
| Klondike Turn 3 | 18-35% | More luck-dependent |
| Yukon | 25-30% | Skill-heavy |
| Forty Thieves | ~10% | Very skill-dependent |
What This Means for Players
FreeCell's high solvability has important implications:
- Losses are learning opportunities: If you lose, you made a mistake somewhere—study your moves
- Undo is your friend: Use it liberally to explore different strategies
- It's a puzzle, not gambling: With patience and thought, you can win almost every game
- Perfect for improvement: Track your win rate to measure your skill growth
Ready to Test Your Skills?
Put your strategic thinking to the test with our free FreeCell game. Can you join the 99%?
Play FreeCell Solitaire