Baker's Game

A close cousin of FreeCell where the tableau must be built down by suit instead of alternating colors. The setup is identical to FreeCell, 8 tableau columns, 4 free cells, 4 foundations, all 52 cards face-up, but the strict same-suit building rule makes Baker’s Game considerably harder. Many positions that would be solvable in FreeCell are unsolvable here.

The Deal#

All 52 cards are dealt face-up into eight tableau columns. The first four columns receive seven cards each, and the last four receive six cards each.

The Layout#

• Tableau: Eight columns of face-up cards where you build descending same-suit sequences.
• Foundation: Four piles where you build each suit from Ace to King.
• Free Cells: Four empty spaces that can each hold one card temporarily.

Rules#

• Building Foundations: Move Aces to the foundation, then build up each foundation by suit in sequence: Ace, 2, 3, and so on up to King.
• Building the Tableau: Stack cards in descending order of the same suit. For example, the 6 of Hearts can only be placed on the 7 of Hearts.
• Using Free Cells: Move any single card to an empty free cell. Cards in free cells can be moved back to the tableau or to foundations.
• Moving Sequences: As in FreeCell, the number of cards you can move as a group depends on available free cells and empty columns. The same supermove formula applies.
• Empty Columns: Any card or valid same-suit sequence can be moved to an empty tableau column.

Strategy Tips#

• Build long same-suit runs early. A long descending run in one suit gives you somewhere to park cards while you reorganize.
• Be conservative with free cells. Filling all four locks down your supermove capacity. Use them strategically and empty them when possible.
• Empty columns are gold. They double your supermove count and can hold any card.
• Pace your foundation moves. Sending a card up that you might still need for tableau building can leave you stuck.
• Plan with full information. With every card visible, think several moves ahead before committing to a sequence.