Comparison
FreeCell vs Canfield
| FreeCell | Canfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Decks | One deck | One deck |
| Suits | 4 | 4 |
| Typical length | 15 min | 15 min |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Hard |
| How much skill matters | High | High |
| How much the shuffle matters | Low | Medium |
| Family | FreeCell family | Canfield family |
| Good for beginners | No | No |
We have not written a verdict for this pairing. The comparison above is drawn from each game's own recorded facts — follow either link for its full rules and strategy.
FreeCell
Nearly every deal is winnable with the right plan — four free cells give just enough room to maneuver every card into place.
All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns — four of seven cards, four of six — so nothing is hidden from the first move. Four free cells sit alongside, each holding exactly one card.
Canfield
Foundations start on a random rank instead of Aces, and a 13-card reserve pile adds real strategic pressure.
Thirteen cards go face down into a reserve with only the top one showing, four columns are dealt, and one card goes up to start the foundations — whatever rank that card happens to be becomes the base rank for all four. Columns build down in alternating colours and turn the corner, so a King can go onto an Ace; foundations build up in suit and wrap the same way.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is harder, FreeCell or Canfield?
- FreeCell is generally rated intermediate difficulty, while Canfield is rated hard — so most players find one noticeably harder than the other.