In Freecell, all 52 cards are face-up at the beginning of a game. There are eight columns in the tableau, and four stacks in the foundation. Aside from seeing all the cards at the start, the biggest change in Freecell from classic solitaire (also known as Klondike) is the four cells in the top left of your screen. You can place one card in each of these 4 cells. The twist? They affect how many cards you can move from one column in the tableau to another. The more free cells (cells with no card on them) you have -- get it, free cells -- the more cards you can move from column to column. 

• 4 free cells = you can move 5 cards
• 3 free cells = you can move 4 cards
• 2 free cells = you can move 3 cards
• 1 free cell = you can move 2 cards

One exception to this rule is if you have an open column: you can move double the normal amount. For example, if you have 1free cell and an empty tableau column, you can move 4 cards instead of just 2. 

Empty columns in Freecell also differ from Klondike solitaire in that you don't need to put a King there - any card will do.

Since you can see all the cards in Freecell, planning ahead is crucial. Take your time with each move, and go for the win! (Don't forget to use those free cells!)