When you start the game, you will see the basic layout of FreeCell solitaire in the Game window: Four free cells at the upper left, four foundations at the upper right, and eight columns of the tableau below (unless your Preferences call for Reverse Layout).
As the game begins, iKlondike deals all the cards from the deck face up into the tableau.
The object of the game is to build all the cards face up on the foundations. Each foundation builds upward, in sequence, starting with the Ace. Only aces may be moved to an empty foundation, and only the next higher card of the same suit can be added to the foundation.
Only one card at a time may be moved in FreeCell, either the top card of a tableau column or the single card which was placed in a free cell. As a short cut, Klondike allows you to move a legal sequence of cards from one column to another, provided there are enough empty cells to have made this move one card at a time. The move will be scored as if you had moved one card at a time.
Only the next higher card of the same suit can be added to each foundation. Cards may be moved to the foundation from the tableau or a free cell.
Any card may be moved to an empty free cell or an empty tableau column.
A card may be added to a non-empty column in the tableau only if it is the next lower value than the current top card and of alternating color. For example, only the 9 of hearts or diamonds (red suits) may play on the 10 of spades (a black suit).
If you select Casino Scoring in Settings, the game is scored according to a casino scheme: You “pay” 52 points to begin play, and you “win” 5 points for each card played on the foundations.
Regular scoring is more like a video game, including a penalty for slow play, as follows:
In addition, a WINNING BONUS is calculated as follows:
The game is won when no lower-valued cards are covered by a higher-value card, or all cards have been moved to the foundations.
You can view the top ten scores you have achieved for the game by tapping History on the Menu toolbar. Details include the date and time the game ended, and the elapsed playing time. Scores for games which you did not win are shown in red.
For more information about iKlondike’s history, rules and scoring, visit the Klondike home page.
Email support: iklondike@casteel.org.