Empty Column Strategy in Solitaire

Quick Answer: Empty columns are the most valuable and scarce resource in solitaire. In Klondike, only Kings can fill empty columns, making every empty space a critical strategic tool. In FreeCell, empty columns double your supermove capacity. In Spider, empty columns allow suit sorting and sequence reorganization. Creating an empty column is often worth 5–10 moves of effort; using one without a plan wastes that investment.

Every experienced solitaire player has felt the relief of creating an empty column. It changes the entire game — suddenly moves that were impossible become available, complex reorganizations become feasible, and the path to victory becomes clearer. But empty columns are also easily wasted. This guide explains exactly how to create empty columns in different solitaire variants and how to maximize their value once you have them.

Why Empty Columns Are Solitaire's Most Valuable Resource

Definition: An empty column is a tableau column from which all cards have been removed, creating an open space. Empty columns function as free workspace — temporary storage, sequence staging areas, and (in Klondike) exclusive homes for new King sequences.

Empty columns are scarce because:

• In Klondike's 7-column tableau, starting with 28 cards means columns are full
• Creating an empty column requires moving all cards from one column to other columns — a significant effort
• Once filled (with a King in Klondike), empty columns are often gone for the rest of the game

This scarcity makes empty columns precious. Before creating one, you should already have a plan for how you will use it.

Empty Columns in Klondike Solitaire

In Klondike solitaire, only Kings or King-headed sequences can fill empty columns.

How to Create an Empty Column in Klondike

The most common path to creating an empty column:

1. Focus on a column that has been reduced to 2–3 face-up cards (all face-down cards already revealed)
2. Move those remaining face-up cards to valid destinations in other columns
3. Column is empty — guard it carefully

This is easiest in column 1 (which starts with just 1 card) but column 1 face-up cards are often immediately used in sequences. Columns 2–3 (which start with 2–3 cards) are also achievable targets.

How to Use an Empty Column in Klondike

Option 1: Place the right King Choose a King that anchors a productive sequence. The best King choice:

• Has a long chain of available cards below it (a King + available Queen + available Jack etc.)
• Is a King from a suit where foundation progress is lagging (getting that suit's sequence started)
• Leaves other Kings in their current positions if those are more useful where they are

Option 2: Use as temporary workspace Hold the column open for complex rearrangements:

• Example: Move a group of cards from column 5 to the empty column temporarily, revealing column 5's face-down cards, then redistribute the group

Critical rule: Do not fill an empty column with a King just because you have a King available. Wait until filling it with that specific King advances your strategy.

Empty Columns in FreeCell

In FreeCell, empty columns are dramatically more powerful because any card (not just Kings) can fill them, and they multiply your supermove capacity.

The Supermove Multiplier

The supermove formula — (free cells + 1) × 2^(empty columns) — shows exponential value from empty columns:

| Free Cells Available | Empty Columns | Max Cards Moveable | |--------------------|--------------|-------------------| | 4 | 0 | 5 | | 4 | 1 | 10 | | 4 | 2 | 20 | | 4 | 3 | 40 | | 2 | 2 | 12 |

Each additional empty column doubles your supermove capacity. Two empty columns with 4 free cells allows moving 20-card sequences in one operation.

Creating Empty Columns in FreeCell

In FreeCell, empty columns are created by moving all cards from one column to other columns through a series of moves. Because any card can go to an empty column (unlike Klondike), you can use this flexibility to create an empty column more efficiently:

1. Move the shortest column's top card to a valid tableau position
2. Continue moving cards from that column to free cells and other tableau positions
3. Once empty, use the column for high-value reorganization work

Using Empty Columns Strategically in FreeCell

In FreeCell, empty column usage strategy:

• Sort inverted sequences: If a column is inverted (high cards on top of low cards of the same suit), use the empty column to sort them in correct order
• Enable Ace liberation: If an Ace is buried under several cards, use an empty column to temporarily hold the blocking cards
• Maximize supermoves: Before attempting a large group move, create an empty column to expand capacity

For the full FreeCell strategy context, see our how to win FreeCell consistently guide.

Empty Columns in Spider Solitaire

In Spider solitaire, empty columns are created when all 13 cards of a same-suit sequence are completed and removed to the foundation. Unlike Klondike and FreeCell, Spider empty columns can be filled with any card or sequence (no restriction whatsoever).

Spider Empty Column Strategy

Spider empty columns serve primarily as suit-sorting tools:

Step 1: A mixed-suit sequence occupies column 4 (Spades, Hearts, and Clubs mixed)

Step 2: Empty column available in column 8

Step 3: Move the Spades cards from column 4 to column 8 (temporarily)

Step 4: Now column 4 is purely Hearts and Clubs — easier to isolate further

Step 5: Continue sorting until same-suit sequences are achieved

The critical rule in Spider: never deal from the stock pile if you have an empty column. Stock deals bring 10 new cards that can bury your carefully sorted empty column instantly. See our Spider 4-suit strategy guide.

The "Empty Column Budget"

Think of your empty columns as a limited budget. You have a certain number available (usually 0–3 at any given time), and each one you use for a purpose "spends" that budget.

| Use | Budget Impact | |-----|--------------| | Temporary sequence parking (with plan) | Temporary spend, recovered | | King placement (Klondike) | Permanent spend | | Suit sorting (Spider) | Temporary spend if you complete the sequence | | Filling with isolated low card | Permanent waste | | Emergency rescue from deadlock | Necessary spend |

Plan your empty column budget proactively. If you are about to need two empty columns for a critical reorganization in 5 moves, protect both columns now rather than casually filling one.

For the full strategic picture, see our advanced solitaire strategies guide and tableau management guide.

Players in competitive solitaire communities in cities like San Diego and Boston report that empty column awareness — knowing exactly how many you have and planning their use — is the clearest skill marker between intermediate and advanced players.

The [Wikipedia Solitaire Strategy section](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patience_(game) discusses empty space management in historical patience literature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are empty columns so valuable in solitaire?

Empty columns provide flexible workspace for reorganizing cards, enable supermove sequences in FreeCell, allow King placements in Klondike, and create suit-sorting opportunities in Spider. They are scarce because creating one requires significant effort, making each one a high-value strategic resource.

What can fill an empty column in Klondike solitaire?

In Klondike, only a King or a sequence headed by a King can be placed in an empty column. This restriction makes empty columns in Klondike more limited but also more strategic — choosing which King to place (and which Kings to leave elsewhere) is a significant decision.

How do empty columns affect FreeCell strategy?

In FreeCell, each empty column doubles your supermove capacity. With 4 free cells and 2 empty columns, you can move 20-card sequences in a single operation. Creating empty columns is often worth 5–10 setup moves because of the enormous flexibility they enable.

Should I fill an empty column immediately in Klondike?

Not necessarily. Holding an empty column open for several moves while you execute a tactical rearrangement is often more valuable than immediately filling it with a King. Only fill the empty column with a King when you have a clear, productive plan for that King's sequence.

How many empty columns do I need to win solitaire?

You don't need a specific number, but maintaining at least one empty column through most of the midgame is a strong strategic habit. Two empty columns in FreeCell enables very powerful supermoves. In Spider, each completed suit sequence creates a new empty column — progressing through suit completions naturally generates the workspace you need.

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💡 Expert Strategy Update (2026)

When managing high-difficulty tables, focus on sequence preservation and stock-cycle control. Prioritize revealing face-down cards in the longest columns before promotion to foundations to maximize structural space.