Among solitaire games, Forty Thieves Solitaire is one of the most challenging and strategic versions. Played with two decks of standard playing cards, this game requires patience, careful planning, and strong decision-making skills.
If you’re looking for a difficult but rewarding solitaire game, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to play Forty Thieves Solitaire, its rules, and expert strategies to improve your chances of winning.
Forty Thieves Solitaire is played with two full decks (104 cards), and the goal is to move all the cards to the foundation piles in ascending order by suit (Ace to King).
10 tableau columns are created, with four face-up cards in each column.
8 foundation piles start empty and must be built in order from Ace to King.
The remaining cards go to the stock pile, which serves as a draw deck.
Cards that cannot be played are placed in the waste pile.
The game’s goal is to move all 104 cards to the foundation piles in order, but this requires smart moves and strategic decision-making.
If you find an Ace, move it immediately to an empty foundation pile.
After that, place the next card of the same suit in ascending order (e.g., ♠A → ♠2 → ♠3 … ♠K).
Only the top card of each tableau column is available for play.
Cards can only be moved one at a time, and they must be placed in descending order of the same suit.
Allowed: ♥9 → ♥8
Not Allowed: ♥9 → ♠8 or ♥9 → ♣8
When no moves are available, draw a new card from the stock pile to the waste pile.
If the drawn card can be played, move it to a tableau column or foundation pile.
If a tableau column becomes empty, only a King can be placed there.
Kings are crucial for creating more space and unlocking hidden cards.
If all 104 cards are placed correctly in the foundations, you win the game!
If no moves are available and the stock is empty, you lose.
Forty Thieves Solitaire is not just about luck it requires strategic thinking and careful planning. Here are some expert tips to increase your chances of winning:
Placing Aces (A) and low cards early creates more space for strategic moves.
This helps avoid unnecessary blockages in the tableau.
An empty column is the most valuable resource in the game.
Once a column is empty, you can move a King there, allowing for better reorganization.
Avoid drawing from the stock pile unless absolutely necessary.
Always check if you can move existing tableau cards before drawing a new one.
If you move a high card too soon, you might block access to lower-ranked cards of the same suit.
Example: Moving ♠Q too early could prevent you from accessing ♠J when needed.
Always think two or three moves ahead before placing a card.
If moving a card only leads to a dead-end, consider an alternative strategy.
Difficulty Level: High
Winning Percentage: Low (about 10-15%)
Required Skills: Strategy, planning, and patience
Unlike classic solitaire games, Forty Thieves Solitaire is one of the hardest variations. However, as you play more, you will develop a better understanding of efficient strategies.
Forty Thieves Solitaire is a game of skill, patience, and strategy. If you enjoy a challenging solitaire experience, this game will keep you engaged for hours.
Plan your moves carefully
Free up space by creating empty tableau columns
Think ahead before making each decision