Sometimes you get a board where no aces immediately pop out and are in fact all pretty darn buried. I find that actually after a lot of grumbling and maybe making a small burnt offering, the games unravel pretty easily.
The aforementioned grumbling may contain some mild “beseeching” and humble prostrate begging, and even promises to make substantive changes (all pretty pathetic stuff) but for whatever the reason these games often play out rather straitahead.
Why is this?
MrFixit
My style of play doesn't take into consideration of the placements of the A's. First priority is the opening of a column, then the second is the opening of a second, if you can do that, then the A's shake out of the tree at harvest time. Less stress on the prostrate.
Sometimes it's the kings that are buried deep and you need them desperately!
Mr.F -- My observation is that the answer to the opening question is, "Yes, very often!" Having key cards buried does not make the game easier, but recognizing that considerable focus may be needed for a solution absolutely makes it easier (for me). I pause and strategize a bit more. I reduce my dependence of routine moves and consider alternatives. It doesn't make the game easier other than avoiding wandering into otherwise problematic positions.
key cards are always going to be buried. key cards can also be of any denomination for the very reason that they are the solution. Which reiterates my position that focusing on certain cards beforehand can be detrimental to the overall strategy.
I think these games are harder in the sense that they require more planning but may be easier in having a higher winning percentage. I think these games would also have a higher average time. Most games have an “obvious” line (or choice of two or three) that you can feel confident will work out, so many including me will just attack and see where it goes. But if nothing jumps out, you really have to plan before making even a single move, so you are much less likely to take a dead end.
I've worked out a strategy where the goal in the opening is to make moves that maximize the "tempo" of a board (i.e. the maximum number of ordered cards that can be moved), regardless of how ugly the board looks, what is covered up by long strands, or where the Aces are. Then, in the middle game, the priority becomes to uncover Aces as more columns are opened up. Finally in the endgame the strategy is to uncover cards that can be moved home (the simplest phase). It's extremely helpful to me to be able to calculate the tempo of any board, real or imagined through a sequence of moves, to determine the next best move. I'll do a separate post that describes how to calculate tempo, and some of the critical board configurations to strive for.
jimmyp — Well stated.
Although every card in every deal eventually plays a role in the solution, some cards emerge as problematic. And the specific problems vary with every challenging game. I do not go into a game looking for aces, kings, or any other card. But in most games I am forced to start looking for black eights or red threes or whatever to unclog a given column.
I've found that on this type of game, a solver works just fine.
Looks like your 'calculations' take quite a long time there in a lot of games, bilbo.
I can't believe the word "stack" has yet to be used in these conversations.
Is bilbo a brit? Squeeze me if that's derogatory 😊
Ending two sentences with a preposition? Not exactly the King’s English.
Those 2 are vicious. I am not. Just ignore them.
Interesting, I've always gone for the aces first. I play a lot of 6x7 so they tend to be longer columns. Still same approach opening up a column?
I tend to think the value of an empty column depends on your stage in the game. Early on, don't have as many long strings to move, empty column not much more useful than a freecell. But later when you've got some longer strings, very important. Kinda like the knight in chess-- more valuable early in a crowded board but later giving way to the bishop in terms of worth.
And yeah, certain specific other cards can have increased importance as you look to find landing spots for other cards/strings.
MrFixit
One way freecell can be likened to pool/billiards - After that move, complicated or not, will you have a favorable "leave"?