Should you always empty a column in FreeCell?
Empty columns are some of the most valuable real estate in FreeCell - but knowing when to make one, and when to keep one, is a real skill.
Why empty columns are gold
An empty column does two big things: it can hold any single card or run you need to park, and it doubles your moving power. Remember the formula (free cells + 1) x 2 ^ (empty columns) - each empty column multiplies how many cards you can shift at once. That is why strong players fight to open one early.
When not to empty one
Emptying a column is not free. If clearing it means breaking up a long, useful sequence or burying a card you need soon, it can backfire. Sometimes a column that is nearly empty, holding one key card, is worth more than an empty one. Weigh what you gain against what you give up before you commit.
A practical rule
Aim to open a column when you can keep it open, not just to clear it for one move and immediately refill it. An empty column you protect is a tool; one you waste is nothing. For the exact move mechanics, see the glossary or the rules page.
Related questions
How many cards can you move at once in FreeCell?
By the strict rules you only ever move one card at a time, but free cells and empty columns let you shift a whole run in one motion. The formula is (free cells + 1) times 2 to the power of empty columns. With all four cells open and no empty columns, that means five cards at once.
What are the free cells for?
The four free cells are open spaces that each hold exactly one card. They give the game its name and its strategy: you use them to park cards temporarily, freeing up moves and letting you shuffle stacks around. Think of them as four extra hands that can each carry one card.
How do you win FreeCell?
You win by moving all 52 cards to the four foundations, each built up from Ace to King in a single suit. The path there is about planning: get the Aces and low cards up early, keep free cells and columns open, and always think a few moves ahead before you commit.