FreeCell Four Deck

Game Objective:

The primary goal in FreeCell Four Deck Solitaire is to move all 208 cards (using four standard 52-card decks) into the foundation piles, building each foundation up in suit from Ace to King.

Setup & Layout:

• Deck: Four standard 52-card decks are used, totaling 208 cards.
• Foundations: There are 16 foundation piles (one for each suit per deck), positioned at the top of the play area. Each foundation starts empty.
• Cells (Free Cells): There are 14 free cells (sometimes called reserves). Each cell can hold only one card at a time and serves as temporary storage.
• Tableau: The tableau consists of 14 columns arranged below the foundations and cells. All cards are dealt face-up into these columns at the start of the game.
• Dealing: All 208 cards are dealt face-up, distributed as evenly as possible among the 14 tableau columns. No cards are dealt face-down, and there is no stock or reserve pile in this variant.

FreeCell Four Deck Solitaire Rules:

• Card Movement Principles:
• Only the top card of each tableau column or any card in a free cell is available for play.
• Cards can be moved between tableau columns, to and from free cells, or onto the foundations.
• Building Sequences:
• Tableau: Build sequences down in alternating colors (e.g., a red 10 on a black Jack).
• Foundations: Build up in suit from Ace to King (e.g., 2♠ on Ace♠, 3♠ on 2♠, etc.).
• Moving Cards:
• You may move a single card at a time.
• You may move a sequence of cards in correct order (descending, alternating colors) if there are enough empty free cells to allow the cards to be moved individually (this is called a "supermove" or "multi-card move").
• Cards in free cells can be played back to the tableau or to the foundations.
• Any card may be moved to an empty tableau column or an empty free cell.
• Restrictions:
• Each free cell can hold only one card.
• Only the top card of each tableau column or a card in a free cell can be moved at any time.

Gameplay:

• Sequence of Actions:
• Move cards from the tableau or free cells to the foundations whenever possible, always building up by suit from Ace to King.
• Move cards between tableau columns, always building down in alternating colors.
• Use free cells to temporarily store cards to facilitate moves within the tableau or to the foundations.
• Move sequences of cards between tableau columns if you have enough empty free cells to accommodate the move as if done one card at a time.
• Introducing New Cards:
• All cards are in play from the start; there is no stock or reserve pile. No new cards are introduced during the game.
• When No More Moves Are Possible:
• If no legal moves remain (i.e., no cards can be moved to the foundations, tableau, or free cells), and not all cards are in the foundations, the game is lost.

Winning & Losing Conditions:

• Winning Condition:
• The game is won when all 208 cards have been moved to the foundations, with each foundation built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Losing/Unwinnable Condition:
• The game is lost if no further legal moves are possible and not all cards are in the foundations.

Special Rules & Edge Cases:

• Filling Empty Spaces:
• Empty tableau columns may be filled with any card from the tableau or a free cell.
• Empty free cells may be filled with any available card from the tableau.
• Multi-Card Moves ("Supermoves"):
• You may move a sequence of cards in the tableau only if you have enough empty free cells to allow the cards to be moved one at a time. The maximum number of cards you can move as a sequence equals the number of empty free cells plus one.
• No Redeal:
• There is no redeal in FreeCell Four Deck Solitaire. Once a card is played to the foundation, it cannot be moved back to the tableau or a free cell.
• No Stock or Reserve:
• There is no stock or reserve pile; all cards are visible and in play from the start.

Key Definitions:

• Foundation: A pile where cards are built up in suit from Ace to King.
• Tableau: The main area where cards are arranged in columns and built down in alternating colors.
• Free Cell: A temporary storage space for a single card.
• Sequence: A group of cards in descending order and alternating colors.

This guide is based on the official rules and authoritative sources for FreeCell Four Deck Solitaire.