How to Play Eight Off Solitaire

Eight Off is the 1930s game that FreeCell grew out of: more cells, stricter building, and every card in view.

Layout

Eight columns of six cards, all face up. The last four cards are dealt into four of the eight cells.
Four foundations, built up from Ace to King by suit.

Moves

Build columns down in the same suit: the 7♠ goes on the 8♠.
Any single card may be moved to an empty cell; a cell holds one card.
Only a King, or an ordered run starting with a King, may enter an empty column.
An ordered run moves together if it could be moved card by card through the empty cells: one more card than you have empty cells.
The top card of a column or a cell may go to its foundation. Safe cards go up automatically.

Winning

Build all four foundations from Ace to King. Hint runs the solver for a moment and suggests its first move; unlimited undo.

Next: Eight Off strategy. Prefer alternating colours? Play FreeCell.

Frequently asked questions

How is Eight Off different from FreeCell?

Three ways: columns build down in the same suit rather than alternating colours, only a King may start an empty column, and there are eight cells instead of four, four of them already holding a card at the start.

How many cards can I move at once?

One more than the number of empty cells. Empty columns do not add to the limit, because only a King may use them.

Last updated 2026-10-21