How to play Baker’s Game
Baker’s Game is the older game that FreeCell grew out of. Everything is the same except one rule: in the columns you build down in the same suit instead of alternating colors. That one change makes it a noticeably harder puzzle.
The layout
- Eight columns hold all 52 cards, face up.
- Four free cells (top left) each hold one card for a while.
- Four foundations (top right) are where each suit is built up from Ace to King.
The rules
- In the columns, build down in the same suit: the 6♥ goes only on the 7♥.
- Any card can go into an empty free cell or an empty column.
- Build each foundation up by suit, starting with the Ace.
- You win when all four suits are home on the foundations.
Moving several cards at once
As in FreeCell, you can move a run of same-suit cards in one go if there’s room to do it one card at a time: with f empty free cells and e empty columns, that’s (f + 1) × 2e cards. The game counts for you.
How to play here
- Tap a card and it moves, with any cards on top of it, to the best place it fits.
- Cards that are safe to send home go to the foundations by themselves (you can turn this off in the Menu).
- Undo as often as you like, and tap Hint for a winning next step.
Tips
- Look for the Aces and 2s first, and plan how to dig them out before you move anything.
- Free cells fill up fast. Try to keep at least one empty.
- Only one card can go on each card here, so a buried card of the right suit is often the key to a whole column.
Questions
How is Baker’s Game different from FreeCell?
Only in how you build the columns: same suit here, alternating colors in FreeCell. Because each card has one place to go instead of two, fewer deals can be won.
Can every deal be won?
No, a good share of deals can’t. So by default, the computer checks each new deal and only gives you one it has found a way to win. You can turn this off in the Menu.
Is it free? Will my game be saved?
Yes and yes: it’s free with no sign-up, and your game is saved in this browser after every move.