Forty Thieves Solitaire is a classic two-deck solitaire card game known for its challenging gameplay and strategic depth. It stands out among online solitaire games because it relies on skill and planning as much as luck – many enthusiasts enjoy it for exactly this reason. In Forty Thieves, two standard 52-card decks (104 cards total) are used, and the game is often considered one of the most difficult solitaire variants to win. Unlike the more familiar Klondike Solitaire, all cards in Forty Thieves start face-up, giving you full information from the beginning. This open layout shifts the emphasis to careful decision-making. Over the years, Forty Thieves has gained a dedicated following among solitaire players seeking a greater challenge. Thanks to modern websites and apps, you can easily find and play Forty Thieves Solitaire online today, enjoying this timeless card game anytime on platforms like SolitaireX.
Brief History and Origin of the Game
Forty Thieves Solitaire likely originated in France in the 19th century and has been enjoyed for well over a century. It was recorded in card game collections as early as 1870, going by the name Napoleon at St. Helena – a title that hints at a famous legend. In fact, one popular story claims that French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte played this solitaire game during his exile on St. Helena after 1815, which is why the game was named Napoleon at St. Helena in his honor. There is no concrete evidence that Napoleon played this specific game, but the tale has become part of solitaire lore.
As the game spread, it acquired various other names. In French, it was sometimes called Le Cadran (“The Dial”), and by the early 20th century American publications began referring to it as Forty Thieves or Big Forty. (The title "Forty Thieves" alludes to the 40 cards in the initial layout, a nod to the Arabian Nights tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.) Another alternative name, Roosevelt at San Juan, appeared in the 1930s, inspired by historical figures. Despite the different names, they all refer to the same challenging two-deck patience game. This rich history and colorful naming add to the enduring mystique of Forty Thieves Solitaire.
Rules and Objective of Forty Thieves Solitaire
An example layout of a Forty Thieves Solitaire game. At the start, 40 cards (ten columns of four) are dealt face-up as the tableau, and eight foundation piles (initially empty) are waiting to be built up by suit from Aces.
Forty Thieves is played with two decks, and the overall objective is to move all 104 cards to the foundation piles. There are eight foundations to fill (one for each suit, since two decks are used), and each foundation must be built up in ascending order from Ace to King of the same suit. The game begins with 40 cards dealt face-up into 10 tableau columns (4 cards per column). These forty face-up cards form the tableau (hence the name Forty Thieves, as they stand between you and victory, each card acting like an obstacle to overcome). The remaining cards become the stock pile. While the rules are straightforward, winning is difficult due to limited moves and no second chances with the stock. Below is a summary of the key rules of play:
- Setup: Deal 40 cards face-up into 10 tableau piles (columns) of four cards each. All cards in the tableau are visible from the start. The remaining cards form a face-down stock pile. Leave space for eight foundation piles.
- Foundations: There are 8 foundation piles (typically above the tableau). Foundations are built up by suit from Ace to King. Each Ace can be moved to an empty foundation to start it, and the goal is to eventually stack every card of that suit in ascending order. Moving all cards to the foundations wins the game.
- Tableau Builds: On the tableau, cards are built down by one rank and in the same suit. For example, only a 10♣ can be placed on a J♣. You may move one card at a time, and only the top (exposed) card of each column can be moved. You cannot move entire sequences in one go (each card must be moved individually).
- Empty Columns: If a tableau column becomes empty (all its cards have been moved away), you may fill the space with any single card that you can legally move. Empty columns are very powerful for maneuvering – creating an empty column gives you a place to temporarily park a card and helps in reorganizing sequences.
- Stock & Waste: When no further moves are available on the tableau, use the stock. Flip over the top card of the stock and place it face-up into a waste pile. The top card of the waste pile can be played onto a tableau column or a foundation if it fits the required sequence. Continue drawing one card at a time from the stock whenever you need a new card.
- No Redeals: You only get one pass through the stock in Forty Thieves. There are no redeals, meaning once you’ve gone through all stock cards, you cannot reshuffle the waste back into the stock. Because of this, use the stock cards wisely – every card drawn is critical, and a poorly timed move can leave you with no way to win.
Understanding these rules is essential before tackling the game. Next, we'll look at the step-by-step gameplay flow and then some strategy tips to improve your chances of success.
How to Play Forty Thieves Solitaire: Step-by-Step Instructions
If you’re ready to play, follow this step-by-step guide on how to play Forty Thieves Solitaire:
- Deal the cards: Shuffle two standard decks of cards (remove any Jokers). Deal 40 cards face-up into 10 columns of four cards each to form the tableau. Ensure the cards overlap so you can see all card values. Set aside the remaining cards face-down as the stock pile. Also leave room for eight foundation piles, which will start empty.
- Start the foundations: Scan the tableau for any Aces. If an Ace is present on the top of any column, move it to an empty foundation pile to start building your foundations. (Each foundation will be built up by suit from Ace all the way to King.) Whenever you uncover another Ace during play, immediately move it to a foundation – this is your ultimate goal.
- Make moves in the tableau: Look for moves among the exposed cards in the tableau. You can move a card onto another tableau column if the card is one rank lower and of the same suit as the target card. For example, you can move a 7♥ onto an 8♥. Remember, you can only move one card at a time. By moving cards within the tableau, try to free up lower cards and especially uncover cards that will be useful (like Aces or low cards that belong on foundations). Every move should ideally help reveal a hidden card or clear a space.
- Use empty spaces wisely: If you clear a column (i.e. you move the last card from a tableau pile), that column becomes an empty space. You may move any available card into an empty column, regardless of suit or rank. This rule is extremely useful – creating an empty column allows you to reposition a troublesome card or to unveil more cards elsewhere. Try to open up a space early, but also make sure you fill it with a card that will help you access other cards (often a King or a high-ranking card is useful to place in an empty column).
- Draw from the stock: When you have no more useful moves among the tableau columns, draw from the stock. Take the top card of the stock pile and turn it face-up onto the waste pile. Examine this waste card: if it can be played onto one of the tableau columns (following the descending same-suit rule) or directly onto a foundation, do so. If it can’t be used immediately, leave it in the waste pile and remember it for later – you might uncover a move for it as the game progresses.
- Alternate between stock and tableau moves: Continue to alternate between playing cards within the tableau and flipping cards from the stock. Always try to play strategically: prioritize moves that free up buried cards in the tableau and that advance your foundation piles. Because all cards in the tableau were visible from the start, you have the advantage of knowing which cards are “buried” under others – plan your moves to unlock those cards in a sensible order. Also be cautious with your stock draws; since there is no redeal, every card from the stock is effectively one-time use. Avoid playing a stock card in a way that simply wastes a move or clogs an empty column without benefit.
- Achieve victory (or face defeat): The game is won when all cards are moved to the foundation piles in the correct order. A perfect win will have four complete foundation piles per deck (eight piles in total, one for each suit from Ace through King). If you manage to fill all the foundations, congratulations – you have conquered the forty thieves! If you run out of moves before then (and the stock is exhausted), the game is lost. Don’t be discouraged – Forty Thieves has a low win rate, so even skilled players lose many games. Each loss is a chance to refine your strategy for the next round.
Following these steps will give you a solid process for playing Forty Thieves Solitaire. Next, we will discuss some tips and strategies to help increase your odds of winning this notoriously challenging game.
Tips and Strategies to Increase Your Winning Chances
Forty Thieves Solitaire is notorious for its difficulty – even with perfect play, you will win far less often than in easier solitaire games. Typical winning odds are around 10% or less for an average deal. However, smart strategy can significantly improve your chances. Here are some tips and strategies to help you win more often:
- Plan ahead and be patient: This game rewards careful planning. Before making any move, consider the consequences a few steps ahead. Because you can only move one card at a time, a move that seems good now might block a crucial card later. Take your time, analyze the tableau, and avoid impulsive moves.
- Prioritize freeing Aces and low cards: Getting the Aces out to the foundations early is critical. Identify where the Aces are in the tableau at the start of the game and work on releasing them. Similarly, try to uncover and play low-numbered cards (2s, 3s, 4s) to the foundations whenever possible. These low cards often unlock further moves and make space in the tableau.
- Create empty columns as soon as possible: An empty tableau column is one of your most valuable assets in Forty Thieves. It gives you a flexible space to temporarily hold any card. Focus on clearing out at least one column early in the game if you can. Once you have an empty column, use it wisely – for example, you might move a King or another high card there to free a lower card, or use it to alternate between two cards while rearranging sequences. Keeping an empty column available, or creating additional empty columns, greatly increases your maneuverability.
- Don’t rush to use stock cards immediately: All the tableau cards are visible from the start, so you have a full view of what you’re working with. Exploit that advantage first. Make all the useful moves you can in the tableau before diving into the stock pile. When you do begin drawing from the stock, be selective about playing those waste cards. If a stock card doesn’t help you (for example, it’s a duplicate of a rank you already have in play and would just sit uselessly on a tableau), you might hold off on using it. Unnecessary moves from the stock can clutter your tableau or waste precious empty columns. In short, use stock cards only when they clearly improve your position.
- Avoid blocking yourself with identical suits: Since building on the tableau requires matching suits, it’s important to be mindful of where each suit’s sequences are. For instance, if you have a 10♥ as a key card in one column and you know a 9♥ is buried in another column, think twice before moving a different 9♥ from the waste onto that 10♥. Doing so would prevent the 9♥ underneath from ever being played in that column. Try not to create situations where two needed cards of the same suit compete for the same sequence. Plan your suit sequences so that you don’t inadvertently lock away a card behind an incompatible sequence.
- Use the waste pile effectively (especially endgame): In the later stages of the game, you should turn your attention to the waste pile. As you clear more tableau space and build up foundations, make it a priority to play cards from the waste whenever possible. You cannot cycle through the stock again, so any remaining waste cards are your last resources. If a necessary card (like an Ace or low card) is sitting in the waste, devise a plan to get it onto the tableau or foundation. Often this means freeing up a spot or rearranging the tableau to accommodate that card. By the endgame, your goal should be to empty the waste pile entirely, ensuring no needed card is left unplayed.
By applying these strategies – thinking ahead, maximizing empty columns, judiciously using the stock, and carefully managing same-suit sequences – you will greatly improve your odds of beating the forty thieves. Every small optimization counts in a game this challenging. Even with these tips, remember that luck still plays a role in the deal of the cards, so don’t be discouraged by losses. Practice and experience will help you recognize which moves lead to better outcomes.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Forty Thieves Solitaire
Beyond the basics of play, Forty Thieves Solitaire has some interesting facts and trivia associated with it:
- Multiple names: This game is known by many names across different regions and eras. Aside from Forty Thieves, it’s often called Napoleon at St. Helena, and has also been referred to as Big Forty, Le Cadran, or Roosevelt at San Juan in various old card game books. These names reflect the game’s history – for example, the Napoleon reference ties to the legend of Bonaparte playing solitaire in exile, while “Forty Thieves” references the 40 cards in the tableau.
- Low winning probability: Forty Thieves is infamous for its low win rate. Even experienced players will win only a fraction of the games they play. Statistically, it’s estimated that only about 1 in 10 games is winnable on average, though skillful play can improve those odds slightly. This makes each victory in Forty Thieves quite rewarding! By comparison, more forgiving solitaire games like Klondike or FreeCell have much higher win rates.
- Popular two-deck solitaire: Along with its many variants, Forty Thieves remains one of the most popular two-deck solitaire games in the world. It has appeared in countless solitaire collections and software. Many modern solitaire apps include Forty Thieves or a version of it, appealing to players who want a step up in difficulty from the one-deck games. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the engaging challenge it provides.
- Variants and easier versions: The difficulty of Forty Thieves has inspired numerous variants that tweak the rules to increase the chances of winning. One well-known variant is Josephine, which is identical to Forty Thieves except that you are allowed to move sequences of cards within the tableau (not just one card at a time) if they are already in proper order. This small change makes Josephine slightly easier to win than classic Forty Thieves. Other variations include games like Thieves of Egypt, Rank and File, and more – each with rule changes such as allowing redeals, using fewer initial columns, or relaxing the building rules. These games maintain the same spirit but offer a more forgiving experience for players who find Forty Thieves too punishing.
These facts highlight the rich background and game design of Forty Thieves Solitaire. From legendary namesakes to modern digital adaptations, Forty Thieves has a legacy as one of the ultimate tests of patience and card-playing strategy in the solitaire world.
Play Forty Thieves Solitaire Online on SolitaireX
Now that you have learned the ins and outs of Forty Thieves Solitaire, why not put that knowledge into practice? Play Forty Thieves Solitaire online now on SolitaireX to experience this classic card game firsthand. SolitaireX provides a smooth, free online platform where you can enjoy Forty Thieves and many other solitaire games right in your browser. Challenge yourself to beat the odds using the strategies outlined above, and see if you can outsmart the forty thieves standing between you and victory. Good luck, and have fun playing!