Sources and verification

Sources consulted

Eight Off (new tab) (Wikipedia, in English): original rules: 8 columns of 6 cards, 4 cards in cells, same-suit sequences, only kings in empty columns
Baker’s Game (new tab) (Wikipedia, in English): Jeu du Boulanger, a close relative of Eight Off and a predecessor of FreeCell
FreeCell (new tab) (Wikipedia): the best-known game in the family, with a comparison of the rules
FreeCell (new tab) (Wikipedia, in English): the group-move formula used by the app
Patience games (new tab) (Pagat (John McLeod)): classification of solitaire games and variants

Links accessed on October 30, 2026. The rules described on this site are primarily those of the Eight Off Solitaire app, as read in its code.

Before each publication, a program checks the 5 example deals and every number on the site:

the deal is recalculated from its game code, using the same shuffle as the app, and compared with the deal produced by the app's code;
52 distinct cards, 8 columns of 6 cards and 4 cards in cells (with 2 cells, 2 of these cards go at the bottom of columns 3 and 4);
every move of the solutions is replayed and must be allowed by the app’s rules; the game must end in a win;
group sizes, points and score are recalculated;
the rules described (cells, foundations, kings in empty columns, scoring) are checked against the app’s code;
the record of winnable deals (seeds 1 to 1 000) is produced by the same program, which plays using the app’s code.

Strategy tips are presented as tips, separate from the rules. Found a mistake? Write to us through the contact page.