FreeCell Deal Numbers: Play Any Numbered, Winnable Deal
Last reviewed on 2026-10-03
FreeCell games are traditionally identified by a deal number. The number fixes the exact order of the shuffled cards, so two people who play “deal #1234” get exactly the same layout. On this site every FreeCell game shows its deal number, and you can play any deal from 1 to 1,000,000.
Play a specific deal
You can also link straight to a deal: https://solitairepublishing.com/freecell/?deal=1234.
The classic 32,000 deals
The numbering comes from the FreeCell version that shipped with Microsoft Windows, which offered deals 1 to 32,000. The shuffle for each number is produced by a simple, well-documented formula, which is why other FreeCell programs (including this one) can reproduce the same layouts.
In the 1990s, a volunteer effort known as the Internet FreeCell Project set out to solve all 32,000 deals by hand. Every deal was solved except one: #11982. Computer solvers later confirmed that #11982 has no solution. That makes the classic set the closest thing to a list of “winnable FreeCell deals”: pick any number from 1 to 32,000 other than 11982 and a solution exists.
Winnable only: the New Game and Random winnable deal buttons on our FreeCell page always choose from 1–32,000 and skip #11982, so every random game you get there can be won.
Some deals worth trying
- Deal #1 – the first deal of the classic set, a good warm-up.
- Deal #32000 – the last deal of the classic set.
- Deal #11982 – the famous unwinnable deal. See how far you can get.
Why numbered deals are useful
- Replay a hard deal until you crack it, using Restart Deal and Undo.
- Compare with friends: share a number and see who solves it in fewer moves.
- Track your progress by working through a range of deals in order.
New to the game? Read the FreeCell rules and strategy guide, or try today’s daily FreeCell challenge, which is always taken from the winnable classic set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which FreeCell deal cannot be won?
Deal #11982 is the only deal between 1 and 32,000 that has no solution. Every other deal in that range has been solved. You can still try it: open deal #11982.
Are FreeCell deals above 32,000 winnable?
Almost all of them. Computer solvers have examined far larger ranges and found that unwinnable deals are extremely rare, but they do exist, so a deal number above 32,000 is not guaranteed to be solvable.
Is deal #1 the same here as in other FreeCell games?
Yes. This site uses the widely shared numbering algorithm for FreeCell deals, so a deal number produces the same layout here as in other programs that use the classic numbering.
How do I get only winnable FreeCell deals?
Press New Game or Random winnable deal on the FreeCell page. Both pick a number between 1 and 32,000 and skip #11982, so every deal they give you has a known solution.