This game's a bear
zudensternen
REGISTERED
Freecell 1691281389, currently being played. After 3300+ plays, the #1 time is 1:36, which is over twice the average #1 (0:43). #10 comes in at 2:36, again over twice the average (1:16). I won't even say what my best time is.
Comments
piece of cake...got er done in only 3hrs 45min
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Nah...did it over 3 days, 1hr 15min per
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Here’s another challenging one: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=783512619
Which brings to mind a feature request: number of tries before solving, and cumulative time spent this one took me at least a half hour to solve. To my mind, with difficult games, the overall time spent is more interesting than the time of the single attempt that ultimately proved successful.
Both those games were tough to win! Always enjoy a good challenge!
I tried, what a toughie....will work on later.
Took me 2 min and 28 sec. loll. Quite a bear indeed
@zudensternen, tried your bear for real this time. Not very good at speed because I work with a mouse. Must have been lucky, got it on the first try in 4m6s. Which is good for me.
Wow @DeusExMachina, see what you mean. Took me 11m3s after 3 tries, little mouse was working overtime. Thing I found difficult... this game has most black numbers located at the top of the puzzle. took a lot of time figuring out a pathway to bring them down for a solution.
Merry Christmas Everyone !!!!!!!!!!!
@David, having trouble getting rid of this post...for some reason it appears even after it's been posted. May have something to do with writing it before realizing I wasn't logged in. Any suggestions?
@zudensternen, tried your bear for real. Not very good at freecell, I work with a mouse. Must have been lucky, got it on the first try in 4m6s. Which is good for me.
@anglais, I'm not sure what you mean… Do you mean the response in the comment box keeps coming back?
@anglais ...you may have a draft re-appearing in your comment box. Go up, on this page, to where you see 'My Bookmarks' and 'My Discussions' and go into 'My Drafts' and delete.
@David, I made the following post to zudensternen in December.
"anglais December 2018 66.131.5.66
@zudensternen, tried your bear for real this time. Not very good at speed because I work with a mouse. Must have been lucky, got it on the first try in 4m6s. Which is good for me."
After writing this post, realized I wasn't signed in. After signing in, returned to discussion but my post had disappeared so rewrote and posted it. Trouble is, the post appeared twice and was unable to get rid of the second one. After rereading my message to you I can see it's difficult to see which post I was talking about.
This isn't a big problem, would just like to know if it's possible to eliminate a duplicate post should it happen again. I think @Homedoggy may be unto something with the draft thing.
Another tough one for those who enjoy working for a win: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=195299583
after 6:53 am giving up on unsolvable game , back to secret games
Just loved that game DEM. Like I said on another thread...gives us slow players a more level playing field.
Here's a fun one: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=574413381.
It has a couple of obvious opening gambits that seem very promising but turn into dead ends. At least I couldn't find my way through either of them.
Think I got lucky with this one. On first try, with a couple of undos, found the right path. Took a bit of time but finished 6th.
Make that 7th place. Can't thank you enough for posting these interesting games DEM. I would post some but, because I'm a newbie, not to sure if the ones I find difficult are actually hard to figure out or if it's due to my inexperience. Don't want to look like an idiot by posting games I find difficult that are in reality, easy
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Took me at least a dozen attempts to find a path to victory with this one: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1736276730
@anglais : I consider the game’s “You placed X out of Y” board to be a good enough sanity check on it’s a truly challenging game. If a game took me 5-10 tries and my eventual score was 3 minutes, but the board is full of 30-60 second scores, then I take it that it has an easy solution that eluded me. But if the best score is we’ll over a minute—with at least a few hundred plays recorded—that’s pretty solid evidence it’s a tough ‘un. Better still: fewer than 10 players have even beaten the game. In short, don’t be too bashful about sharing the testers you run across.
Thanks everyone .. am enjoying these 'gnarly' games - let us know if there are others!
Grizzly situation on unsolved games, thanks for message anglais , sorry about bad pun on this game is a bear, rotflmao
Good one Gerald, lol
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@DeusExMachina : enjoyed this game...finished in 4m50s but you are being modest, your eventual score is more like 2m6s. Even so, feel good about it. That's thing about tough games...solving it is reward enough no matter the standing.Don't tell David that
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The thing I'm starting to do...before even touching the mouse...is to look for what could be roadblocks to finishing a game. In this particular game I noticed problems with the double ten at the top and lack of easy access to the black eights. Once those problems were eliminated or reduced it was relatively smooth sailing.
Is it my imagination or does the timing mechanism start only after the first move?
@wtown : waiting for your gnarly games also.
Speaking unbearable, if anyone has played Golf Wrap Around, this game is unsolvable Game# 1215402895
@anglais: >> Is it my imagination or does the timing mechanism start only after the first move?<<
That would be excellent news if true! I have always assumed that time spent studying the situation before making a move incurs the ticking clock.
@zudensternen, did a couple of tests...apparently it was my imagination. My mind must have been working faster than I thought with that game.
Have I got a game for you!!! http://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=377858143, have not had time to solve yet. Game has been solved 5 times...fastest time 3m45s slowest time 24m2s
http://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=377858143 a challenging game.
@anglais that game is indeed terrible. The stats a day later are almost the same as you posted above: only 6 have won it, and #6 took over 24-1/2 minutes to do so. Yowza!
Have at it, gang: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=908489191
Nice one DEM...three tries the third one got me 19th in 6m15s. Roadblocks to this solution stood out like a sore thumb. Double red fives at the top, double black sixes middle of another column and fours scattered al over the place. Next time will add up the total time it took.
you may find this one interesting http://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=40716306. One solution so far. Tried a quick shot no solution...looks easier than it is.
Thanks @anglais. http://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=377858143 was formidable. Took me a solid 45 minutes to find a solution (5:11), then nearly that long again to streamline it and carve my time down.
http://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=40716306 Had a couple of wrinkles, but not too taxing. (Which was a relief ‘cuz it’s been a long day). Look for a power move right out of the gate that gets you off to a decent start.
& thanks @DeusExMachina, I was able to beat 40716306 on the next try with the help of your hint.
Here's one of some difficulty — minor perhaps compared to some of the others mentioned in this thread: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=542427453 (Call it a wolverine instead of a bear.) I haven't managed to beat it yet. The top 10 range from 1:24 to 2:22.
I see someone is in good mood placing username photos of smiley faces on a lot of people , I wonder who!!!!!!!!
I liked this one: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=495591276. All sorts of ways to get started that seem oh so promising but end up petering out.
Only one solution so far under 2min.: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1618020068
I almost gave up on this one (for now): https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=2038247230
Thanks Deus! Sorry, trying to limit my freecell time so can keep up with all the other bits of life, so not finding any gnarly ones to share at the moment, but am loving these .. thx!
I was afraid this one was gonna keep me up all night: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1826795334
G’night...
https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1826795334
unbearable
95th place on game listed on Free Cell game in the early game number. Dilly! Dilly!
Boy howdy! This’un’s a tester. This winners so far in 442 plays.
https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1642802595
Thanks again .. a challenging one - with a cup of coffee needed mid-way!
Another challenge: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=455660793 . Not the largest bear, just tough. Two red jacks high up, two red queens ditto, and elsewhere two red tens. Whatever steps I have found so far to alleviate one or two of these cause a pinch in another area of the board. At the moment the #10 time is 2:41, so others are finding it difficult as well.
https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1586142816
But follow only if you are men of valour. For the entrance to this cave is guarded by a monster, a creature so foul and cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair ... therefore sweet knights if you may doubt your strength or courage come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty pointy teeth.
...oh mighty knights who say "Ni"
No...it's just a bunny
Bunny Wabbits for Easter
Hey Boo Boo!
Pack a lunch for this‘un: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1317876079
muahahaha
For those who didn't catch the reference...
Where's the Bud Light ? Dilly! Dilly!
Is Squirrel's fault. (This game is Badenov.) https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1567740777
Thx Boris.
squirrel dumplings like grandmother use to make, yes game is a squirrley one
That 1567740777 was beating me until I basically played it backwards from the other 2 million times I lost it. Finally, I won it. I'm taking a nap now.
Free Cell Game # 166159626 this was a polar bear towards the end! 7:29 2042nd place. Now for a mug of Almond Amaretto!
Another Boris. https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1554346208
My time was horrible, but that was fun. But then I don't care about speed;I just like testing myself.
Bah! Hum bug on that game zudensternen called Boris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agreed, @zudensternen, today’s GotD was a serious toughie. Took me at least an hour to figure out a solution.
This one took me several tries before I stumbled on a path through the trees. But then again, my head wasn’t really in the game, so I’ll be curious whether other find it challenging.
https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1650567430
I won it-but forgot to log in...and terrible time and not high (#32) in the standings. I like the tricky ones.
Another bear, this one perhaps a Kodiak. After 2700 plays, #10 time is 2:14. I lost track of how many times I tried before finding the one, narrow, totally non-obvious path through all the obstacles. https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=684272525
Moderately bearlike: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1194977145 . #10 time after over 2000 plays is 2:19. Hint: Ignore the aces for a long time.
Proceed at your own risk (of spending more time than you may have planned): https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=833674086
Two testers:
I must’ve lucked into a quick solution to this one, but judging from the times it’s a tester: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=240112601.
10 = 3:09 of 1600 plays...
Thanks DeusEM!
yeah played that game yesterday Deus mentioned it was a rough want tell you my time it wasn't good.
I hope you have better luck with this one than I’ve had: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=646377116
It’s winnable. More’n 10 have proven that. But blast me if I can find a way through it.
Re: 240112601 — Thanks @DeusExMachina, I see you have since gotten down to 03 = 1:16. Finally found the way through, 21 = 2:34 of 5446. I'll take it.
Becoming quite dangerous with all these bears around.Be careful!
Ya! been sightings around har about Smoky the Bear, and Yogi & Boo Boo, maybe some of those bars that wear a uniform that give out tickets. and one of those koala bears escaped from the zoo, heading back to the land down under.
2 wins in nearly 400 attempts, both >2min.: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=930507910
Tougher than your average bear: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=344211755
And... https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=5732006
Tired of winning every game of free cell solitaire.
Thanks again!
With 1300 plays, #10 is at 4 min.: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1161227313
Wild. I see now that #10 is at 2:12 and you are #1 at 1:18. Have to say I've never seen you in the top 10 with a time like that.
Look who’s on top of that pile now. Way to go, @tucsonsky!!!
yee haw! ty ty ty
Beyond bearish. This game is winnable — I managed a win in 09:15 (!) after about an hour of trying, and 258 plays total. I was the only winner. That was last evening and this noon I see that I am STILL the only one ever to have eked out a win! https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1557925134
Hey, well done @tucsonsky! 1:35!
ty zundensternen
This’un tested me to the point where I thought I’d have to give up (for now). Eventually hacked my way through it. Current top ten ranges from 1:37 to 3:41 on about 10k plays.
https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=578266265
Right on, brother. This one was as tough as I've seen. What's most puzzling, however, is how MOMADUKES managed to whittle it down to 91 moves. She engineered one "big play" I simply cannot locate. Congrats to her!
I found this one tougher than I expected based on the times (1:23-2:10 for the Top 10): https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=935813150
What strikes me as noteworthy is that of nearly 10,000 plays, only 3 cracked the 100 move barrier.
4
5 , but agree it's difficult
Almost surrendered to this one: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1316715033
Ursine. Haven't won it in a dozen or more plays. Times 1 - 10 are 1:17 - 2:25. https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=256672899
For whatever reason, didn't find Deus' #1316715033 particularly difficult. Supports a long-standing theory of mine, that no matter good a player is, certain deals can produce "blind spots" to his/her natural logical train of thought. No offense to Deus. He's still the best player at the table.
That was a fun one, @zudensternen. Took me more well more than a dozen attempts.
And absolutely no offense taken @GammaRho496. No doubt that each of us has his or her own strategies for attacking a game. Most games can be cracked a number of ways, but the trickier ones almost by definition have few paths to victory, and it stands to reason that certain approaches are more likely to unlock a given game.
For the record, I do not accept the crown of “best player at the table.” I can think of at least 5 metrics for “best Freecell player”:
1. Lowest average time on first successful play
2. Lowest average time on unlimited number of plays
3. Lowest average number of plays for first successful play
4. Lowest average number of plays for unlimited number plays
5. Highest win percentage on first play
I’m the reigning champ by Metric #2 (if you limit the pool to Games-of-the-Day). I suspect I’d rank in the top 5 or 10 by Metric #2, but I’m definitely not #1 [I’d say that honor goes to @aletaster].
As to the Number of Plays metrics, I’d be surprised if I crack the top 50. And not for lack of trying! I just haven’t been able to crack the code for routinely booking low move counts. I have great respect for those who are good at that style of play.
No clue about first-try win percentage—we have no visibility on that stat. Perhaps because the site doesn’t track it, I make no particular effort to win on my first try. I just dive in and don’t hesitate to restart the game if my gambit isn’t playing out.
Here’s a real tester: https://greenfelt.net/freecell?game=1066687874. Fastest time so far is 2:35. I have yet to crack it.
Good luck!