Release the first cell before planning a large transfer.
Ten face-up columns hold five cards each; the other two cards begin in the cells. Tableau groups build down in the same suit, and only Kings can head a move into an empty column. The first useful question is where either cell card can go.
Last updated: September 2026
Open a cell with a useful destination
Both cells are occupied on the deal. A cell card can move to its suit foundation when the previous rank is there, or onto the next higher card of the same suit in the tableau. Identify those destinations before moving other cards. Freeing one cell lets you park a blocker and raises the legal group size.
A cell card with no current destination may become playable after another move exposes its same-suit base. Do not assume that a full pair of cells means only single-card tableau moves remain: an empty column can still increase group capacity.
Count usable columns for each move
A descending same-suit run can move as a group up to (empty cells + 1) × 2usable empty columns cards. An empty destination is excluded from the usable empty columns for that move. It may only receive a King or a same-suit run headed by a King.
Both cells are full and one tableau column is empty. A legal same-suit run can move up to two cards onto a nonempty column. A King-headed run can move only one card into the sole empty column, because that destination cannot also provide staging. Freeing one cell raises those limits to four and two.
The empty column helps transfers even if no King is ready to occupy it. Keep it open when its capacity makes a planned move possible; fill it when a King move creates more useful access.
Build suit runs without burying the next needed card
Same-suit placement is stricter than FreeCell’s alternating colors. Before stacking, check the next foundation card in that suit and what the move will cover. A long run can move when space permits, but only its exposed end can reach the foundation.
See the FreeCell family guide for the broader access-and-space framework. Seahaven’s occupied starting cells and King-only gaps make the first moves and capacity calculation different.