Forty Thieves Solitaire is a highly challenging yet rewarding solitaire game. Unlike the classic Klondike Solitaire, which allows stacking cards in alternating colors, Forty Thieves has stricter rules. The game requires patience, skill, and a solid strategy to win. If you’re looking for a solitaire variant that pushes your logical thinking and problem-solving skills to the limit, this game is perfect for you!
The main goal of the game is to move all the cards to four foundation piles, sorting them in ascending order from Ace to King within each suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades).
At first glance, it may seem similar to other solitaire games, but its strict movement rules and limited card placements make it far more difficult. Winning this game requires careful planning and strategic thinking.
The game is played with two full decks of 52 cards (104 cards in total). Here’s how the layout is set up at the beginning:
Tableau (Playing Area) – There are ten columns on the playing field, with four cards face-up in each column, totaling 40 cards.
Foundation Piles – The four empty foundation piles are where you need to build the suits in ascending order (Ace to King).
Stockpile (Draw Deck) – The remaining 64 cards that were not dealt into the tableau are placed in the stockpile, which players can draw from when no other moves are available.
Waste Pile – Any drawn card that cannot be placed in the tableau or the foundation is sent to the waste pile.
Forty Thieves Solitaire follows a strict set of rules that dictate how cards can be moved and stacked. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play:
You can move a single card at a time to another column in the tableau.
Cards can only be placed on a card of the same suit and in descending order. (For example, you can place the 8♠ on top of the 9♠, but not on the 9♦ or 9♥.)
You cannot move multiple cards together as a stack (unlike Klondike Solitaire).
If you clear a column, it remains empty until you place a King in it. Only Kings can be moved to an empty column.
If you run out of moves, you can draw a card from the stockpile.
Drawn cards go to the waste pile, and you can only play the topmost waste card onto the tableau or foundation piles.
Once all stockpile cards are drawn, they cannot be reshuffled so use them wisely!
Your ultimate goal is to move all cards to the foundation piles in ascending order (Ace to King) by suit.
Aces must be placed in the foundation first, followed by the corresponding 2s, 3s, 4s, and so on until each suit is complete.
To win, you must successfully transfer all 104 cards onto the four foundation piles, correctly sorting them by suit from Ace to King. If you run out of moves and cannot progress further, the game is lost.
Since Forty Thieves Solitaire is considered one of the most challenging solitaire games, here are some tips to increase your chances of winning:
The sooner you free up Aces and low-value cards, the easier it will be to move higher-ranked cards later.
While it’s tempting to clear a column quickly, remember that only Kings can be placed in empty columns. Make sure you have a plan before emptying a column.
Since there’s no reshuffling in this game, carefully decide whether drawing a card is necessary. Waste pile cards can clog your available moves if played carelessly.
Since cards can only be stacked in descending order and within the same suit, always think ahead before making a move.
If you move a King to an empty column too soon, you might block other essential moves. Consider your options before placing a King in an empty space.
Cards that enter the waste pile may become unusable later. Try to avoid filling the waste pile with important cards you might need.
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a game that rewards patience and logical thinking. While it may seem frustrating at first, practicing these strategies will help you develop a winning approach. The key is to plan ahead, manage the tableau efficiently, and control the stockpile wisely.
Are you ready for the challenge? Try playing Forty Thieves Solitaire today and see if you have what it takes to beat this difficult yet highly rewarding card game!