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Forty Thieves Solitaire

Forty Thieves is played with two standard decks (104 cards) with 4 cards dealt to each of the ten tableaus. The remaining 64 cards are available for play from the stock which permits a single passes through (no redeals allowed). Only the top card of each tableau is available for play. Sequences on the tableaus can be built down by suit. The objective is to build the eight foundations up by suit from Ace through to King.

Difficulty: Easy

Rules are easy to understand.

Odds of winning: Very Low

Win about 1 in 10 games (10%).

Duration: Long

More than 10 minutes per game.

Skill Level: Balanced

Winning involves skill and luck equally.

How to Play Forty Thieves

Game Objective

Move all cards to the eight foundations.

Foundation Rules

  • There are eight foundations.
  • An Ace may move to an empty foundation.
  • The foundations build up by the same suit.
  • For example the 7♠ may move onto the 6♠ and the 7♦ may move onto the 6♦. Starting with the 7♥ the following sequence can build on top 8♥ 9♥ 10♥ J♥.

Tableau Rules

  • There are ten tableaus.
  • The tableaus build down by the same suit.
  • For example the 7♠ may move onto the 8♠ and the 7♥ may move onto the 8♥. Starting with the 7♥ the following sequence can build on top 6♥ 5♥ 4♥ 3♥.
  • Any card may move to an empty tableau.
  • The top card is movable.

Stock Rules

  • The stock deals one card face up to the waste when tapped.

Waste Rules

  • There is one waste.
  • The top card is movable.