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Download on Google Play- Deal 52 cards face up in 10 columns (2 cards go to free cells).
- Four free cells and four foundation spaces available.
- Move exposed cards to foundations (ascending, same suit).
- Move cards between columns (same suit, descending).
- Use free cells for temporary single-card storage.
- Only Kings fill empty columns.
- Win by completing all four foundations to King.
Rules
Seahaven Towers is a FreeCell variant where cards are dealt into 10 columns with 4 free cells available for temporary storage. Unlike standard FreeCell, only complete same-suit sequences can be moved between columns, and only Kings can be placed in empty columns. These restrictions make Seahaven Towers more challenging than FreeCell while maintaining the open-information, skill-based gameplay.
Objective
Build four foundation piles by suit in ascending order from Ace to King.
Setup
- Players: 1
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck
- Layout: Deal all 52 cards face up into 10 columns. The first 4 columns receive 5 cards each, and the remaining 6 columns receive 5 cards each (with 2 cards placed in free cells to start). Four free cells and four foundation spaces are available.
Gameplay
- Move single cards: Move the bottom (exposed) card of any column to a foundation, a free cell, or onto another column's bottom card if it is the same suit and one rank higher.
- Move sequences: A sequence of cards in descending order of the same suit at the bottom of a column can be moved together to another column if the receiving card is the same suit and one rank higher.
- Free cells: Store any single card temporarily. Cards in free cells can be moved to foundations or columns following normal rules.
- Empty columns: Only Kings (or sequences headed by a King) may be placed in empty columns.
- Foundations: Build up by suit from Ace to King.
Scoring
- Win: All 52 cards are placed on the four foundation piles.
- Loss: No legal moves remain and not all cards are on foundations.
Variations
- FreeCell: The more popular variant with 8 columns and alternating-color building on columns.
- Penguin: A FreeCell variant where a random card starts the foundations and same-suit building is used.
- Baker's Game: FreeCell with same-suit building instead of alternating-color building.
Tips and Strategies
- Keep free cells open as long as possible for maximum flexibility.
- Try to build same-suit sequences in columns to enable group moves.
- Free up Kings early to use empty columns as extended storage.
- Plan moves carefully since the same-suit building restriction limits options compared to FreeCell.
Tips & Strategy
Keep free cells empty for flexibility. Build same-suit sequences in columns for group moves. Create empty columns for Kings. Plan several moves ahead since the same-suit restriction limits your options.
The same-suit building rule makes Seahaven Towers significantly harder than FreeCell. Plan to build long same-suit sequences in place rather than moving cards frequently between columns.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Seahaven Towers has a very high solvability rate despite its difficulty. It is estimated that over 90% of random deals are solvable with perfect play, similar to FreeCell.
How does Seahaven Towers differ from FreeCell? Answer: Seahaven uses 10 columns with same-suit building and only Kings in empty columns, while FreeCell uses 8 columns with alternating-color building and any card in empty columns.
History & Culture
Seahaven Towers was created by Art Cabral in the 1980s and gained popularity through its inclusion in early PC solitaire collections. It is considered a bridge between the more forgiving FreeCell and the strict Baker's Game.
Seahaven Towers holds an important place in the history of computer solitaire games. It was one of the first solitaire variants specifically designed for digital play and helped popularize the FreeCell family of games.
Variations & House Rules
Baker's Game uses the same same-suit building rule but with 8 columns. FreeCell relaxes the building to alternating colors. Some versions of Seahaven allow any card in empty columns.
For an easier game, allow any card to fill empty columns instead of just Kings. Add extra free cells for more maneuvering room. For extra challenge, reduce to 3 free cells.
